HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-14 PH1 ARC Appeal Old Mission School
FROM: Derek Johnson, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Brian Leveille, Associate Planner
SUBJECT: APPEAL OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION’S
DESIGN REVIEW APPROVAL OF A CLASSROOM BUILDING AND
ACCESSORY STAFF OFFICE.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1), denying the appeal, and upholding the Architectural
Review Commission’s approval of the project.
SITE DATA
Applicant Tina Ballantyne, Old Mission
School Principal
Representative Jim Duffy, Architect
Zoning R-4-H (High-Density Residential
with Historical Preservation
Overlay Zone)
General Plan High-Density Residential
Site Area 9,232 square feet (.21 acre)
Environmental
Status
Exempt from environmental
review under Class 32 (Section
15332), Infill Development
Projects
REPORT-IN-BRIEF
The applicant, Old Mission School, submitted an application to construct a classroom building
and accessory staff office as a satellite location to their main campus on Broad Street. The
applicant received administrative use permit approval in October of 2013. The project’s
administrative use permit approval was appealed Mark Anderson, who owns the property
directly adjacent to the site area. The appeal was subsequently withdrawn after the applicant and
appellant reached an agreement. The project was reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Committee
on October 28, 2013 and recommended for ARC final approval. The project was approved by the
Meeting Date
Item Number February 25, 2014
PH1 - 1
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 2
Architectural Review Commission on January 6, 2014, following a continuance from November
18th. The design approval of the Architectural Review Commission was appealed on January 15,
2014. The appeal of the ARC’s decision is limited to issues that were within the jurisdiction of
and considered by the ARC, which are limited to evaluation of the project’s conformance with
the Community Design Guidelines. The ARC’s Staff recommends denial of the appeal since the
ARC unanimously voted to approve the project based on the applicant’s responses to directional
items.
Project Overview
The applicant, Old Mission School (OMS), is proposing to construct satellite classroom facilities
at 774 & 776 Palm Street (Annex) to accommodate 7th and 8th grade classes. Two single-story
buildings with a Mission Revival architectural style are proposed. Proposed site development
includes a classroom building (3,789 square feet) with three classrooms, and an accessory
building to accommodate a staff office/lounge space for teachers (560 square feet). Two
classrooms at the main OMS campus were recently converted into computer labs. Currently, the
displaced classes are being held in overflow classrooms at Mission College Prep (MCP), which
adjoins Old Mission School.
The proposed classrooms on Palm Street (Annex) are only intended to be used for classroom
instruction. Daily pickup/drop-off and the daily student body assembly and lunches would occur
at the main Old Mission School campus similar to current operations. Students would be
escorted by their teachers to and from the Annex property. Long term staff parking for the annex
property would continue at the parking garage at Mission College Prep. All primary activities at
the Annex campus would remain indoors with the exception of short breaks in the morning and
afternoon when students would use the patio/yard areas. (Note: for a more detailed project and
site description, see Attachments 3 & 6, applicant project statement and November 18, 2013,
ARC Staff Report).
Figure 1. Proposed Palm Street elevation
PH1 - 2
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 3
Previous Review
Administrative Use Permit
On October 18, 2013, an administrative use permit was granted (Attachment 10), authorizing the
proposed school use in the R-4 zone. The use permit review focused on evaluation of the
compatibility of the proposed school use on Palm Street, and the proposed path of travel for
students and teachers going to and from the main Old Mission School Campus.
The classroom use was found compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, which includes the
Mission Parish Church directly across Palm Street. The building design is single-story and a
modest scale that meets setbacks and coverage requirements for the R-4 zone. A noise study was
also submitted, which confirmed sound levels will not exceed Municipal Code requirements for
exterior noise limits. The path of travel from the OMS campus to the Annex property was found
to be a safe with crosswalks, a four way stop at Palm and Broad Streets, and trips back and forth
from the annex property would be supervised and controlled, with students escorted by teachers.
There also is adequate sidewalk access along Palm Street to the Annex property.
An appeal of the use permit was filed by the adjacent property owner at 798 Palm Street, Mark
Anderson and subsequently withdrawn after the appellant and applicant agreed to clarification on
minor operational questions (lighting, buzzers, etc.) and minor design modifications, which
would be reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission. No additional appeals were filed
during the 10-day appeal period following use permit approval. The applicants have received a
use permit entitlement to allow the school use and proposed off-site parking.
The use permit entitlement approved the land use as a school facility with three classrooms for
7th and 8th grade classes with accessory staff office/lounge, and the proposed off-site parking.
The findings and conditions of the use permit required design approval by the Architectural
Review Commission for conformance with Community Design Guidelines. Additionally, the
use permit required that all necessary encroachment and building permits be obtained prior to
establishing the permitted use on the property.
Cultural Heritage Committee
On October 28, 2013, the Cultural Heritage Committee evaluated the proposed project’s
conformance with Historic Preservation Guidelines for architecturally compatible development
within Historic Districts. The Cultural Heritage Committee found the Mission Revival
architecture consistent with the Historic Preservation Guidelines and recommended that the
Architectural Review Commission approve the final design (Attachment 12, CHC Staff Report
and resolution).
Architectural Review Commission
The Architectural Review Commission initially reviewed the project on November 18, 2013
(Attachment 6, ARC Staff Report). The Architectural Review Commission continued the item to
PH1 - 3
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 4
a date uncertain with six directional items (Attachment 7, follow up letter and meeting minutes).
On January 6, 2014, the ARC reviewed the applicant’s revised plans (Attachment 8, ARC Staff
Report). The ARC found the applicant adequately responded to direction and unanimously voted
to grant final design review approval to the project (Attachment 9, resolution and meeting
minutes).
EVALUATION
Appeal
On January 15, 2014, the appellant, Michele Gordon, filed an appeal of the Architectural Review
Commission’s approval of the project design (Attachment 5). Appeals of the Architectural
Review Commission are forwarded directly to the City Council for consideration. At both ARC
hearings, it was noted to the public that the purview of the ARC was related to evaluating the
project for conformance with Community Design Guidelines, and that many of the issue areas
raised during public comment were not under the purview of the ARC (Attachment 7, ARC
meeting minutes). As discussed above, the use permit approval granted approval of the land use
entitlement for the school, finding the use compatible with the site. The review of the
Architectural Review Commission consisted of evaluation for conformance of Community
Design Guidelines and consideration of the Cultural Heritage Committee’s recommendation on
Historic Preservation Guidelines.
The establishment of the school use was approved with the administrative use permit approval
and is not subject to appeal. In fact, an appeal of the use permit was timely filed and was then
withdrawn (Attachment 11). In order to provide the Council with background information, staff
will provide responses to each of the appeal issue areas.
The appeal issues as stated in the letter and staff responses are provided below:
1. Appellant: “The residents in the Mission Orchard Neighborhood did not receive
proper notification from the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development
Department for the Administrative Use/ARC hearing for the proposed project. The
proposed project is located at 774 & 776 Palm, however it is incidental to the primary
use at Old Mission School (761 Broad Street). Per the project summary, the student
drop-off/pick-up parking administration, recreation and dining will all take place at
Old Mission School; therefore, the proposed project primarily impacts the families
residing near Old Mission School. The families residing near Old Mission School
should have received notice prior to the Administrative use hearing so that we could
have voiced our significant concerns around parking, vehicular, and pedestrian
circulation in our neighborhood.”
Staff Response: The use permit notification procedure was not timely appealed and was not part
of the ARC’s purview. Thus, any challenge to the use permit notice provided is untimely and is
not subject to appeal of the ARC action. The administrative use permit review was required since
the Annex project on Palm Street is located in the High-Density Residential Zone (R-4)1.
1 City of San Luis Obispo Zoning Regulations, Chapter 17.22, Use Regulation, Table 9-Uses Allowed by Zone.
PH1 - 4
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 5
The Old Mission School site at 761 Broad Street is a longstanding use with existing school
operations and pick-up/drop off activities. Per the applicant’s project description, and statements
in public hearings, the immediate need for the annex project is due to displacement of two
existing classes, which are currently being held at the adjoining Mission Prep campus.
The existing classes consist of approximately 58 students. The Annex project is anticipated to
potentially accommodate three classrooms with an anticipated 75 students (90 maximum), which
represents a minor increase in potential enrollment.
No construction or significant modifications to Old Mission School’s operations have been
proposed which would require the main OMS campus to obtain a use permit approval or other
entitlements. The administrative use permit review was for the purpose of evaluating the
proposed school use for compatibility at the Annex property on Palm Street, where the new land
use was proposed to be established. Notification of the administrative use permit hearing was
conducted in accordance with Municipal Code requirements for the property where the project is
proposed (Annex project site on Palm).
2. Appellant-Parking: Given the proposed project plans to use Mission College Prep to
accommodate their off-site parking requirements, we believe the parking requirements
should have been reviewed globally to include Old Mission School, Mission College
Prep, and the proposed Old Mission School Annex. The current parking situation in
the MONA neighborhood is intolerable, as evidenced by the parking inundation on the
streets surrounding Old Mission School. We are confident, upon further review, that
there is not sufficient parking per code to accommodate all three campuses. In
addition, the Applicant stated the Old Mission School Annex is within the required 300
feet of the existing Mission College Prep’s parking garage. However, the proposed
Annex project is NOT within 300 pedestrian feet of the Mission College Prep parking
structure.
Staff Response: Parking requirements were evaluated as part of the use permit approval, on
which a timely appeal was withdrawn and no other timely appeals filed. Parking requirements
were not within the ARC’s purview, and thus, parking requirements are not within the scope of
the current appeal. Evaluation of parking requirements is based on the proposed project at the
Annex location on Palm Street. The current issues the appellant describes are due to a variety of
circumstances including proximity to the downtown, residential parking demand, and existing
operations of Old Mission School, and Mission College Prep. Public Works staff has been
working with the MONA group to assess the parking situation and potentially explore the
formation of a parking district.
Use permit conditions required the applicant to provide parking calculations demonstrating the
availability of parking. The Zoning Code requires a total of eight parking spaces for the proposed
project (2 per classroom + 1/300 office space). The applicant has demonstrated there are an
adequate number of on-site spaces to accommodate the eight required spaces for the Annex
project within the Mission College Prep parking garage based on parking requirements for
existing uses. Though Zoning requirements have been satisfied, staff anticipates no additional
PH1 - 5
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 6
parking demand will actually be realized, since only staff parking is needed and there will be no
students driving to school for the 7th and 8th grade levels. The applicant has stated that currently,
no new teachers or staff will be hired for the annex project since the classes are being displaced
from classes currently being held at Mission Prep. In the future, if occupancy does increase at the
Annex site for up to 90 students, additional staff may be required, and some or all of the required
spaces may need to be utilized.
In regards to the proximity of the off-site parking, the Zoning Code does not specify whether the
required 300 feet has to be in walking distance, or if the distance could be measured by radius.
Upon close examination, the issues raised by the appellant regarding the 300 feet proximity to
the annex site are not exactly on point considering the characteristics of the proposed use are
different than the typical off-site parking scenario. Since students and teachers will be first
meeting at the main OMS campus, the actual distance and path of travel for the eight required
parking spaces, would be for OMS staff to walk to and from the parking garage at Mission
College Prep to the adjoining main OMS campus approximately 100 feet away. Teachers would
then escort students to the Annex to and from the main OMS campus for school activities.
3. Appellant-Pedestrian Circulation: The project summary states the students will
assemble at Old Mission School at the beginning of each day and then be escorted
950 feet to and from the Annex project several+times a day, thereby crossing 2
traffic intersections multiple times each day. The City of San Luis Obispo’s Zoning
Ordinance requires any off-site parking access to be convenient and safe.
Escorting up to 90 active children over 950 feet while crossing 2 intersections
multiple times each day would not only impact the neighborhood, it would also
certainly qualify as inconvenient and hazardous access.
Staff Response: The above issues were not within the ARC’s purview, and thus, are not subject
to appeal. The ARC review and decision did not include pedestrian circulation. Furthermore, as
discussed above, offsite parking requirements are not directly applicable to the teacher escorted
student movement to the Annex property. The students would cross one driveway located
between Old Mission School and Palm Street and one intersection at Broad and Palm Streets
where there is a four-way stop and existing crosswalks frequented by existing student and parent
pedestrian traffic (Figure 2, below). There is adequate sidewalk space along the north side of
Palm Street and the distance from the Annex property to the northwest corner of Broad and Palm
(Mission College Prep property) is approximately 255 feet. Staff evaluated the path of travel as
part of the administrative use permit reviewand found no dangerous or hazardous features. As
discussed above, the use permit was appealed and withdrawn, and is not subject to revocation or
modification within the context of this appeal.
PH1 - 6
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 7
4. Appellant-Potential increases in Enrollment: The ARC chose to ignore a critical
“flaw” in the design of the Annex. The Annex is designed to accommodate 90
students, allowing 34 more students than are currently enrolled at OMS. Several
public speakers expressed concern re: possible increases in enrollment and argued
in vain that the square footage of the proposed Annex should be pared back. Both
staff and the ARC were satisfied with the client’s “verbal assurances” that they will
not increase their enrollment. The City has never trusted such verbal assurances” in
the past regarding any project. This is because owners come and go and so goes the
“verbal assurances.” Similarly, school administrators come and go and the current
principal at any time in the future, could be replaced by a new principal interested
in growing the school’s enrollment. Any increase in enrollment would further
exacerbate the concerns mentioned above.
Staff Response: The number of students approved for the Annex project was a part of the land
use entitlement granted with the administrative use permit and was not under the purview of the
Architectural Review Commission. The immediate need for the project is to accommodate the
existing 7th and 8th grade classes with approximately 58 students which are being displaced from
the current off-site location at Mission College Prep. The three classrooms are designed for an
optimum of 25 students per classroom (75 total) and a maximum of 90 students would be
allowed consistent with the applicant’s project description approved in the use permit. It can be
anticipated there will be fluctuations in student enrollment at OMS including the 7th and 8th grade
levels, which would likely vary from year to year regardless of whether the Annex project were
constructed. Based on the applicant’s project description, if all three classes had a total of 75
Private driveway
Path of Travel
Figure 2. Path of travel to Annex property
PH1 - 7
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 8
students, this would represent a minimal increase of 17 students from the existing 58 students
which are being displaced from the current off-site location at Mission College Prep.
5. Appellant-Expedited Review: Staff denied the ARC and the neighborhood the
opportunity to evaluate an initial environmental study that would assess
archeological and traffic impacts because staff chose to expedite the review process.
Staff justified this expedited review based on Senate Bill 226 which argues that infill
projects create more sustainable and energy efficient economies. But significant
under-parking as we know, is not sustainable as it results in idling cars and
numerous circuitous loops around the neighborhood searching for any available
parking spaces, if indeed, these parking spaces exist.
Staff Response: The project is exempt from environmental review under the Infill Development
Categorical Exemption (Class 32). The project complies with this exemption since it is consistent
with the General Plan and Zoning Regulations, is on a site of less than five acres and is
substantially surrounded by urban uses. The project site has no value as habitat for endangered,
rare or threatened species and will not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air
quality, or water quality and the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public
services. Since the classrooms consist of 7th and 8th graders which will not be driving to school,
there will be minimal parking demand as a result of the Annex project.
The project design already incorporates measures which will minimize the potential for adverse
impacts to archaeological resources with the use of caissons which minimize the amount of site
disturbance from traditional grading for a standard foundation. The applicant has retained a City
qualified subsurface archaeologist and the project is implementing existing requirements of the
Archaeological Preservation Guidelines which include monitoring during any ground
disturbance activities, and protocols to stop work and recover any significant cultural resources
which may be encountered.
6. Appellant: The resident of 873 Chorro Street is concerned about the proximity of the
media/computer room to the rear of his house. The media/computer room should be
recessed an additional 6 feet, or preferably, completely removed.
Staff Response: The applicant responded to several directional items from the ARC relating
to the east elevation of the classroom building adjacent to the property at 873 Chorro. The
applicant lowered the height of the classroom building wall by two feet and added a 12-inch
offset. The applicant also removed projecting parapet features designed to screen mechanical
equipment and relocated the roof mounted equipment farther away from the edge of the
building. The applicant noted that more significant revisions such as adding horizontal jogs
in the wall line are not feasible due to limited site area, the expense of the caisson and grade
beam foundation system, and the project’s goals to retain an approximately 100-year old
olive tree at the rear of the property. The majority of the east wall will be screened by a six-
foot privacy wall. The classroom building is single-story, requests no exceptions from
Zoning Regulations setback standards, and the computer/media room will have a six-foot
setback, which exceeds Zoning Regulations minimum setbacks (five feet required). The
property is zoned R-4 which could allow a multi-story residential structure up to 35-feet in
PH1 - 8
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 9
height. The height of the wall for the computer/media room is 13 feet and the remainder of
the east elevation of the classroom building is 15-feet in height. At the January 6, 2014, ARC
meeting, the ARC unanimously found the applicant adequately responded to previous
direction.
7. Appellant: The residents of 756 Palm Street are concerned about the OMS
Annexation setting a precedent in the neighborhood for “cherry picking” other R-4
lots to be used for non-residential structures/purposes. We ask OMS/MCP to honor
their repeated promise that they will note expand any part of the schools on the
property of 770 Palm Street.
Staff Response: The potential development of the adjacent lot at 770 Palm Street, or any
other residential lots for school uses would be subject to review as required by Zoning
Regulations.
CONCURRENCES
The project has been reviewed by the, Building, Fire, Public Works, Utilities, and Transportation
Departments. Where applicable, recommended conditions of approval have been incorporated
into the use permit and architectural review conditions of approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
When the General Plan was prepared, it was accompanied by a fiscal impact analysis, which
found that overall the General Plan was fiscally balanced. Accordingly, since the proposed
project is consistent with the General Plan, it has a neutral fiscal impact.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Continue the item. An action to continue the item should include a detailed list of additional
information or project modifications required.
2. Direct staff to return to the City Council with the necessary findings to uphold the appeal and
deny the project design with prejudice. If the Council takes this alternative, the applicant
would be precluded from submitting a substantially similar application for a one year period.
Staff does not recommend this alternative. The appeal does not raise design issues that staff
recommends would support denial of the project design. The land use issues raised by the
appellant were the subject of review in the use permit process and the land use entitlement has
been granted and the appeal period has expired. The appeal raises limited issues relating to the
Community Design Guidelines, which were within the purview of the Architectural Review
Commission; the ARC thoroughly reviewed those issues and found the project design in
conformance with Design Guidelines.
3. Direct staff to return to the City Council with the necessary findings to uphold the appeal and
PH1 - 9
Old Mission School Appeal (ARC 131-13: 774 & 776 Palm Street) Page 10
deny the project design without prejudice. If the Council chooses this alternative, the
applicant could submit a similar application for consideration within a one year period.
Staff does not recommend this alternative. Staff believes the appeal has not provided a
basis to deny the project, and the appeal issues consist of limited items relating to the
Community Design Guidelines which were under the purview of the Architectural
Review Commission and were thoroughly reviewed and found in conformance with
Design Guidelines. An action to deny the project without prejudice should include a list
of additional information required or project design modifications desired.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution
2. Vicinity Map
3. Applicant project statement/narrative, January 6, 2014
4. Reduced scale project plans
5. Appeal to City Council, January 15, 2014
6. ARC Report, November 18, 2013 (without attachments)
7. ARC follow up letter and meeting minutes, November 18, 2013
8. ARC Report, January 6, 2014 (without attachments)
9. ARC Resolution No. ARC-1000-14 & meeting minutes, January 6, 2014
10. Administrative Use Permit approval #A 131-13
11. Appeal of Administrative Use Permit approval & withdrawal.
12. CHC Staff Report, October 28, 2013 (without attachments) & CHC Resolution No.
CHC-1012-13
DISTRIBUTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
11” x 17” plans in full color
T:\Council Agenda Reports\2014\2014-02-25\ARC Appeal - Old Mission School (Johnson-Davidson-Leveille)\E-Council Agenda Report_(ARC
131-13, Appeal).docx
PH1 - 10
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION NO. (2014 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL
DENYING AN APPEAL AND UPHOLDING THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
COMMISSION’S ACTION TO APPROVE A CLASSROOM BUILDING AND
ACCESSORY STAFF OFFICE (774 & 776 PALM STREET, ARC 131-13)
WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Commission, on January 6, 2014, approved the
proposed redevelopment design of the property at 774 & 776 Palm Street, which includes
construction of a classroom building and accessory staff office based on findings of consistency
with the City of San Luis Obispo Community Design Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, Michelle Gordon, on behalf of the Mission Orchard Neighborhood
Association (MONA), filed an appeal of the Architectural Review Commission’s action on January
15, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in
the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on February 25,
2014, for the purpose of considering the appeal of the Architectural Review Commission’s action;
and
WHEREAS, the Council has duly considered all evidence, including the record of the
Planning Commission hearing and action, testimony of interested parties, and the evaluation and
recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. Based upon all the evidence, the City Council makes the following
findings:
1. As determined by the Architectural Review Commission, the project design is appropriate
and compatible with surrounding development consistent with Community Design
Guidelines of the City of San Luis Obispo.
2. As determined by the Cultural Heritage Committee, the project is consistent with Historic
Preservation Guidelines since the project scale, massing, and architectural style is
compatible with the Downtown Historic District.
3. The project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of those working or
residing in the vicinity since the proposed project is consistent with the site’s High-Density
Residential Zoning designation, and the project is consistent with relevant Zoning and
development regulations and will be subject to requirements to conform to all applicable
building, fire, and safety codes.
4. The project conforms to General Plan Land Use Element Policy LU 2.2.1: Mixed Uses and
Convenience, which encourages mixed uses in residential neighborhoods to serve the daily
needs of nearby residents, including schools, parks, churches, and convenience retail stores;
PH1 - 11
Resolution No. _______________ (2014 Series) Attachment 1
Page 2
and the proposed use is a non-residential activity consistent with General Plan Policy 2.2.13
which states residential areas may accommodate limited non-residential activities which
generally have been compatible such as elementary schools.
Section 2. Environmental Review. The project is categorically exempt under Class 32 (Section
15332), Infill Development, of the CEQA Guidelines since the project is in compliance with
City of San Luis Obispo Archaeological Resource Preservation Guidelines and will not result in
significant impacts to cultural resources, and meets the following criteria:
a. The project is consistent with its general plan designation and applicable general plan
policies.
b. The project site is within City limits on a project site of no more than five acres and is
substantially surrounded by urban uses.
c. The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species.
d. Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise,
air quality, or water quality.
e. The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
Section 3. Action. The City Council hereby denies the appeal and upholds the Architectural
Review Commission’s action to grant final project approval, with incorporation of the following
conditions:
Architectural Review Commission approval: The project shall comply with all conditions
contained in Architectural Review Commission approval ARC 131-13 (Resolution No. ARC-1000-
14).
Conditions:
1. Final project design and construction drawings shall be in substantial compliance with the
project plans as amended and approved by the ARC. A separate full-size sheet shall be
included in working drawings submitted for a building permit that list all conditions, and
code requirements of project approval as Sheet No. 2. Reference should be made in the
margin of listed items as to where in plans requirements are addressed. Any change to
approved design, colors, materials, landscaping or other conditions of approval must be
approved by the Director or Architectural Review Commission, as deemed appropriate.
Significant changes to the exterior building design to respond to potential structural and/or
exiting issues shall return to the ARC for review and approval. Significant changes to the
exterior building design to respond to potential structural and/or exiting issues shall return to
the ARC for review and approval.
2. The color board for the project presented at the meeting was supported by the Architectural
Review Commission. Plans shall clearly note that all stucco surfaces are not a sprayed-on
product and have a smooth troweled finish. A sample of the finish shall be submitted prior
to issuance of a building permit. Any modifications to the approved palette shall be
reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director prior to issuance of a
PH1 - 12
Resolution No. _______________ (2014 Series) Attachment 1
Page 3
building permit. Building colors, materials, and all exterior details shall be shown on the
building elevations approved as part of working drawings.
3. The proposed use shall remain fully consistent with the project description and proposed
daily operations described in application project submittals including the ages and grades of
students and numbers of students and staff described in the proposal and approved in the
associated Administrative Use Permit approval #A131-13. The operations shall also remain
consistent with minor modifications to the use description which the applicant has agreed to
in association with the withdrawal of appeal AP-PC 131-13.
4. Prior to issuance of building permits, written Director approval of the proposed consolidated
approach as described in Chapter 5 of the Archaeological Resource Preservation Guidelines
is required. The report shall contain all required information and required components of
Chapter 5.
5. With submittal of working drawings, the applicant shall include a line-of-sight diagram and
sectional views of the building, which clearly show the sizes of proposed condensers and
other mechanical equipment to be placed on the roof to confirm that parapets and other roof
features will adequately screen them.
6. The locations of all wall-mounted lighting fixtures shall be clearly called out on building
elevations included as part of working drawings. All wall-mounted lighting shall
complement building architecture. The lighting schedule for the building shall include a
graphic representation of the proposed lighting fixtures, and cut-sheets shall be separately
submitted for the project file of the proposed lighting fixtures. The selected fixture(s) shall
be shielded to insure that light is directed downward consistent with the requirements of the
City’s Night Sky Preservation standards contained in Chapter 17.23 of the Zoning
Regulations. Details of all exterior light fixtures, including any service area lights, need to
be included as part of plans. A note shall be included on plans that “Lenses of exterior wall-
mounted lights may be modified or shielding devices added after installation if the
Community Development Director determines that they emit excessive glare.”
7. The existing driveway approach shall be abandoned in favor of curb, gutter, and sidewalk
per City Engineering Standards. The building plan submittal shall show and label the
adjoining metered parking spaces and shall show additional metered parking in the area of
the abandoned approach. The plan may require the relocation of one or more spaces and
meters to provide a complying parallel parking layout.
8. Any sections of damaged or displaced curb, gutter, and sidewalk shall be repaired or
replaced to the satisfaction of the Public Works Department. Displaced sidewalk in the area
of the street trees shall be replaced as necessary. A tree grate shall be included around the
existing street trees to remain if a grate could reasonably fit around the existing tree and
crown. Sidewalk area removed or replaced shall be constructed back in Mission Style
Sidewalk per City Engineering Standards.
PH1 - 13
Resolution No. _______________ (2014 Series) Attachment 1
Page 4
9. The proposed landscape plan for the area in front of the Administration Building should
consider at least one street tree per City Engineering Standard #8010 to provide additional
street tree coverage in the gap between the existing sidewalk trees. Additional screening
planting such as Cypress trees shall be planted along the west property line to provide for
privacy of neighbors.
10. The building plan submittal for demolition, grading, and new construction shall include
pertinent tree preservation notes for the existing on-site trees to remain.
11. The building plan submittal shall include a complete grading and drainage plan. The
drainage plan shall consider all existing historic upslope and off-site drainage that is
tributary to this site. The proposed drainage plan shall show how any tributary drainage is
collected and conveyed to an approved point of disposal. The drainage plan shall consider
the historic runoff from this site for both quantity and point of discharge. Changes to the
historic drainage may require additional drainage analysis from a licensed civil engineer.
The drainage analysis, if additional runoff is directed off-site, may need to justify the
capacity of the existing downstream drainage improvements.
12. The building plan submittal shall include a complete site utility plan. The plan shall show
all existing and proposed utilities along with all utility company meters. The plan shall
show the location of the existing utilities located within the public right-of-way for
reference.
13. The applicant shall submit a landscaping plan containing an irrigation system plan with
submittal of working drawings for a building permit. The legend for the landscaping plan
shall include the sizes and species of all groundcovers, shrubs, and trees with corresponding
symbols for each plant material showing their specific locations on plans. The surfaces and
finishes of hardscapes shall be included on the landscaping plan. The project’s landscape
and irrigation plans need to be in compliance with the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 17.87
and Engineering Standards. The requirements can be found online at:
http://www.slocity.org/utilities/download/engstandardsnewland.pdf .
14. The site shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner at all times. All landscaping shall
be maintained in accordance with the approved landscape plan.
15. The location of any required backflow preventer and double-check assembly shall be shown
on all site plans submitted for a building permit, including the landscaping plan.
Construction plans shall also include a scaled diagram of the equipment proposed. The back
flow preventer and double check assembly shall be screened using a combination of paint
color, landscaping, and if deemed appropriate by the Community Development Director, a
low wall. The size and configuration of such equipment shall be subject to review and
approval by the Utilities and Community Development Directors.
16. The building plan submittal shall include a complete demolition and topographic survey
plan. The plan shall show all existing trees to remain and trees to be removed. The trees in
PH1 - 14
Resolution No. _______________ (2014 Series) Attachment 1
Page 5
the area of the existing storage building shall remain unless otherwise approved for removal
by the City Arborist.
17. The applicant shall submit a plan that delineates the location of the property’s existing and
proposed water meter(s), water services, and sewer laterals to the points of connection at the
City water and sewer mains. The City’s Utility Billing records indicate that the site is served
by two existing 5/8” water meters. Please verify whether one of these existing water meters
is proposed for landscape irrigation at the site.
18. If the property’s existing sewer lateral is proposed to be reused, submittal of a video
inspection will be required for review and approval of the Utilities Department during the
Building Permit Review process. If a new lateral is proposed, the existing lateral must be
abandoned per City standards.
19. Address Numbers: Approved address numbers shall be placed on all new buildings in such
a position to be plainly visible and legible from the street fronting the property. Numbers
shall be a minimum of 5" high x 1/2" stroke and be on a contrasting background.
20. Fire Department Access to Equipment: Rooms or areas containing controls for air-handling
systems, automatic fire-protection systems, or other diction, suppression or control elements
shall be identified for use by the Fire Department and shall be located in the same area. A
sign shall be provided on the door to the room or area stating “Fire Sprinkler Riser” and
“Fire Alarm Control Panel”. Fire sprinkler risers shall be located in a room with exterior
door access. Show Riser room on floor plans.
21. Knox Box: A Knox Box shall be provided on the outside of the Fire Sprinkler Riser Room
with a key to the room.
22. Fire Protection Systems and Equipment: Fire protection systems shall be installed in
accordance with the CFC and the California Building Code. An approved NFPA 13 system
will be required for this project. Shop Drawings and Specifications shall be submitted for
review and approval prior to installation. The fire main and all associated control valves
shall be installed per NFPA 24 Standards and City Engineering standards. The Fire
Department Connection shall be located along a fire apparatus access.
23. An approved fire alarm system is required for this project. The fire alarm system shall be
interconnected to the main campus, unless an approved 2 way communication system,
approved by the fire department, and manual pull stations are provided for both campus.
24. Emergency Planning: Outdoor assembly areas shall be designated and shall be located a
safe distance (at least 50 feet) from the building being evacuated so as to avoid interference
with fire department operations. The assembly areas shall be arranged to keep each class
separate to provide accountability of all individuals. Please designate on plans.
PH1 - 15
Resolution No. _______________ (2014 Series) Attachment 1
Page 6
25. Fire Safety During Construction: Buildings undergoing construction, alteration or
demolition shall be in accordance with Chapter 14 of the CFC.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing Resolution was adopted this _______________________, 2014.
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST:
____________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_/s/ J.Christine Dietrick_____________________
Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
PH1 - 16
Attachment 2
PH1 - 17
Attachment 3
PH1 - 18
Attachment 3
PH1 - 19
Attachment 3
PH1 - 20
Attachment 3
PH1 - 21
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
22
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
23
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
24
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
25
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
26
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
27
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
28
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
29
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
30
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
31
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
32
Attachment 4
PH
1
-
33
Attachment 5
PH1 - 34
Attachment 5
PH1 - 35
Attachment 5
PH1 - 36
Attachment 5
PH1 - 37
Attachment 5
PH1 - 38
Attachment 6
PH1 - 39
Attachment 6
PH1 - 40
Attachment 6
PH1 - 41
Attachment 6
PH1 - 42
Attachment 6
PH1 - 43
Attachment 7
PH1 - 44
Attachment 7
PH1 - 45
Attachment 7
PH1 - 46
Attachment 7
PH1 - 47
Attachment 7
PH1 - 48
Attachment 7
PH1 - 49
Attachment 7
PH1 - 50
Attachment 7
PH1 - 51
Attachment 8
PH1 - 52
Attachment 8
PH1 - 53
Attachment 8
PH1 - 54
Attachment 8
PH1 - 55
Attachment 8
PH1 - 56
Attachment 9
PH1 - 57
Attachment 9
PH1 - 58
Attachment 9
PH1 - 59
Attachment 9
PH1 - 60
Attachment 9
PH1 - 61
Attachment 9
PH1 - 62
Attachment 9
PH1 - 63
Attachment 9
PH1 - 64
Attachment 9
PH1 - 65
Attachment 9
PH1 - 66
Attachment 9
PH1 - 67
Attachment 9
PH1 - 68
Attachment 9
PH1 - 69
Attachment 9
PH1 - 70
Attachment 9
PH1 - 71
Attachment 10
PH1 - 72
Attachment 10
PH1 - 73
Attachment 10
PH1 - 74
Attachment 11
PH1 - 75
Attachment 11
PH1 - 76
Attachment 11
PH1 - 77
Attachment 11
PH1 - 78
Attachment 12
PH1 - 79
Attachment 12
PH1 - 80
Attachment 12
PH1 - 81
Attachment 12
PH1 - 82
Attachment 12
PH1 - 83
Attachment 12
PH1 - 84
Goodwin, Heather
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2014 2:32 PM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: FW: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Anthony J. Mejia I City Clerk
(:lty Of S11) WIS 01;1S[)0
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93ito -1_
tel 1 805.781 102
RE CEI�.�FtiT
FEB 24 2014
S1.0 CITY cl
e
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date < / Item
From: Marx, Jan
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2014 2:31 PM
To: Michele Gordon; Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Cc: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: RE: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Thanks for your message. I am including our city clerk in this response so your email is posted on the city
website as agenda correspondence.
Yours,
Jan Marx
Sent from my Veiixon Wndcss 4G LTF Smarnphonc
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: Michele Gordon
Date:02/22/2014 2:06 PM (GMT- 08:00)
To: "Marx, Jan" , "Smith, Kathy" , "Christianson, Carlyn" , "Carpenter, Dan" , "Ashbaugh, John"
Subject: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Hello City Council Members,
I will be presenting at the City Council Public Hearing on February 25th. The attachment outlines my concerns
regarding the expansion of Old Mission School (774 & 776 Palm Street). This project did not receive adequate
review at the Administrative Use Hearing and the neighbors surrounding Old Mission School will request that
the City Council redirect review of Old Mission School's Palm Street Annex to the Planning Commission in
order to address the issues I have bulleted in the attachment.
I hope that you will have a moment to read our concerns prior to the meeting.
Respectfully,
Michele Gordon
762 Broad Street, SLO
Representative of the Mission Orchard Neighborhood Association
774 & 776 Palm Street, Old Mission School
The Mission Orchard Neighborhood Association, comprised of the homes surrounding
Old Mission School, is concerned that this project did not receive adequate review at
the Administrative Use Hearing and we request that the City Council redirect review of
Old Mission School's Palm Street Annex to the Planning Commission in order to
address the following:
Lack of notice to the neighbors in the drop off /pick up area for the annex:
This proposed project is an expansion of OMS; therefore, per the zoning ordinance,
the residents surrounding OMS should have been notified regarding the expansion
of the school so that they would have had an opportunity to have their concerns
addressed at the Administrative Use level. Unfortunately residents, living in the area
where OMS main campus and annex students are dropped off and picked up, have
had no voice in the process, which has led to an appeal. The City Council should
return review of Old Mission School's Palm Street Annex to the Planning
Commission and the effected neighborhood should be included in the process from
the start.
2. Potential for increased enrollment:
The application for the project states that OMS intends to use the annex property for
"students who are attending classes in overflow classrooms at Mission College
Prep ". This is accurate. However, what is important to note is what is NOT said in
the application and consequently not addressed during the review process. The
OMS annex project went through the Administrative Use Hearing under the
assumption of no additional students. OMS has the opportunity with the addition of
the Annex to increase enrollment (up to 90 additional students), further exacerbating
traffic congestion at the main campus during drop -off and pick -up times.
The neighborhood has reached out to OMS on several occasions regarding the
potential for increased enrollment /traffic congestion, including a written request from
Brian Leveille to OMS that has not received a response to -date. The request states:
Old Mission School agrees that enrollment at the main Old Mission School campus
and the Annex property combined will not exceed 17 additional students from
current enrollment of (Occupancy of 75 at Annex - (minus) current 58
students displaced from off -site classrooms at Mission College Prep). OMS agrees
that enrollment at the Annex property will not increase beyond 75 until it can be
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the San Luis Obispo Public Works Transportation
Planner that mitigations /measures will be implemented which will mitigate impacts to
the neighborhood in the vicinity of the main campus, from the additional pick-
up /drop -off trips resulting from the increased student enrollment.
Given that increased enrollment, and the impact on the area surrounding OMS main
campus from the added drop- off /pick -up traffic, was not specifically addressed in the
annex application or in the review process, and from all indications it appears that
OMS will use the new annex to increase enrollment, the project should be returned
to the Planning Commission for review.
3. A traffic /loading /parking mitigation study was not conducted:
Currently all loading and unloading of students is done on the street. As the curb
fills, parents double park along Broad Street to pick up and drop off. Vehicles that
are not stopping at OMS travel around the double parked cars, into opposing traffic.
This is a typical school day and occurs a minimum of twice daily Monday- Friday. The
Principal of OMS has stated on several occasions that her attempts at controlling,
alleviating or reducing traffic congestion have been unsuccessful, including
staggering start and end times. Due to traffic congestion as well as safety concerns,
the project should be returned to the Planning Commission so that a study can be
conducted and analyzed. What other schools in our community has designated on-
street student drop -off? OMS should use their resources to provide on -site drop -off,
to minimize morning and afternoon congestion. Our neighborhood has proposed
some alternatives for OMS to consider; however, they have not responded to our
ideas.
4. Off -site parking distance is in excess of regulation:
The City of San Luis Obispo Zoning Regulations state that off -site parking "shall be
within 300 feet of the use and shall NOT be separated from the use by any feature
that would make pedestrian access inconvenient or hazardous ".
The measurement of 300 feet from the OMS annex to the Mission College Prep
parking structure, as provided by OMS and accepted by the Administrative Hearing
Officer, is "as the crow flies" (over houses and through fenced private property); the
actual pedestrian access is approximately twice that (500 -600' vs 300').
The Administrative Hearing Officer does not have the authority to make exceptions
to the off -site parking regulations (per the zoning ordinance) therefore the project
should be returned to the Planning Commission for further review.
5. The proposed parking for the off -site use is not in compliance with the
ordinance:
Old Mission School, Mission College Prep and the OMS annex are currently using
the parking structure at MCP and the adjacent cul -de -sac for parking. No additional
parking is available or is being created with the addition of the annex. When
reviewed globally, per city parking regulations, there is a significant shortage of
parking. OMS provided, and the Administrative Hearing Officer accepted, an
antiquated legal non - conforming parking allocation to support the shortfall of parking.
OMS's expansion should trigger a review of non - conforming status and the Planning
Commission should review ALL parking for ALL THREE SITES, rather than allowing
a staff exception.
yGoodwin, Heather FEB 18 2014
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 8:27 AM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: FW: Public comment in support of APARC 131 -13 ( 774 & 775 Palm, SLO) approval.
Agenda Correspondence for Mission School.
Anthony J. Mejia I City Clerk
of : Nn Luis omspo
990 Palm street
San I uis Obispo, CA 93401
tel I 80S 781.7102
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date a 5 I Item# .
From: vendors @adriaticisland.orq [ mailto :vendors(&adriaticisland.org]
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 8:11 PM
To: Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Codron, Michael; Dietrick, Christine; Lichtig, Katie; Marx, Jan;
Smith, Kathy; Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Public comment in support of APARC 131 -13 ( 774 & 775 Palm, SLO) approval.
The Bobics
P.O. Box 15537
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
February 15, 2014
City of San Luis Obispo
Community Development Dept.
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
To the San Luis Obispo City Council,
As the property owners of 675 Brizzolara, we have reviewed the application # APARC 131 -13, located at 774
and 776 Palm in San Luis Obispo and support and agree with the Architectural Review Commission's Design
Review approval of the classroom building and accessory staff office for Old Mission School. We hope the
council upholds the approval of this project.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Kim and Gino Bobic.
g ^BPS_.. Vk,'
Goodwin, Heather ! FEB 18 2014
Subject: FW: Public comment in support of APARC 131 -13 ( 774 & 775 Pa5i,--5L0) approval:
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
- - - -- Original Message - - - -- #e `' � Item #LL/41_
From: vendorskadriaticisland.org [vendorsgadriaticisland.org]
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 08:09 PM Pacific Standard Time
To: Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Codron, Michael; Dietrick, Christine; Lichtig,
Katie; Marx, Jan; Smith, Kathy; Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Public comment in support of APARC 131 -13 ( 774 & 775 Palm, SLO) approval.
The Bobics
P.O. Box 15537
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
February 15, 2014
City of San Luis Obispo
Community Development Dept.
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
To the San Luis Obispo City Council,
As the property owners of 675 Brizzolara, we have reviewed the application # APARC 131 -13, located at 774
and 776 Palm in San Luis Obispo and support and agree with the Architectural Review Commission's Design
Review approval of the classroom building and accessory staff office for Old Mission School. We hope the
council upholds the approval of this project.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Kim and Gino Bobic.
• FEB 2 4 2014
ission San Luis 06 5po de Tolosa
Pro Cathedral
fad,
751 Falm Street • 3an Luis 0hispo, California 93401 • Phone (805) 78 1 -8220 Fax(805)781-8211
e -mail: ofFice@oldmissionslo.org • We address: www.missionsanIuiso6isPo.org
February 24, 2014
AGENDA
Mayor Jan Marx and Members of the City Council CORRESPONDENCE
990 Palm Street Det LS Item# L - I
San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93401
Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members:
I appreciate the opportunity to provide some background and context in advance of the
pending appeal of the approval recently granted by the Architectural Review Commission to the
Old Mission School classroom project on Palm Street. In 1999 Old Mission Parish was given the
opportunity to acquire this parcel, and agreed to purchase it under a ten -year mortgage
through the Monterey Diocese. For most of that time the house at the back of the property
served as residence for Fr. Tilley, principal of Mission College Prep and also, briefly, for the
current principal and his family. The front building was shared by Mission College Prep and Old
Mission Elementary as office and meeting space.
Since 2009 the Palm Street house has served as a rental on the open market. My concern, as
pastor, has been for the use and maintenance of these buildings and their long -term
occupancy. All buildings, now demolished, were of modest value, and nearing the end of their
useful life. For some years we have considered the best use and ultimate purpose of the Palm
Street property. I believe, at the time of the acquisition, some parish members intended the
near location to become the site of a new parish hall, but with the renovation of the existing
hall in 2012 that proposed use became unnecessary.
Concurrently, Old Mission Elementary School (OMS) has been actively seeking available
classroom space to replace two classrooms presently used on the Mission College Prep campus.
Due to renovation plans of the neighboring high school, OMS will no longer have these nearby
facilities available. With their loss, and the conversion of one classroom within the small OMS
campus to a computer - technology lab, OMS faces an impending net loss of classroom space.
Without replacement facilities, current students might be denied continuing enrollment during
their middle school years, losing the investment made by them and their families at an
important time in their lives. Both the school and the parish have made the replacement of
classroom space a highest priority.
After exploring numerous options to build or lease additional space within the city, it became
clear that a simple satellite unit on Palm Street would be the best answer. We first considered
simply re- purposing the existing structures, or at least using their footprint. The solution that
evolved was to remove the increasingly derelict facilities entirely, and create a new attractive
school site that would not only meet our needs but bring value to the neighborhood.
As its structures declined, the most likely future of the parcel would have been to place it on
the market for commercial or residential development. The idea to use it as a small campus
annex immediately appealed to both the school and parish as a way to preserve this property
from over - development, which would add to traffic and parking concerns. Our intention was,
and remains, to give the community a low impact development.
As a not - for - profit institution, Old Mission Church does not have to seek top dollar return for its
investment, but can and should look to other values. The classroom project as proposed leaves
a relatively light imprint on this historic Palm Street site. The commercial alternative of a multi-
unit dwelling would add significantly more parking and traffic congestion. From my perspective
as pastor, this is a win -win for all parties concerned. It also preserves whatever artifacts that
may remain beneath this historic site.
From the beginning, Old Mission Church and Old Mission Elementary School have been diligent
in attempting to comply fully with City Planning and the various commissions which govern
building and development in the downtown area. We have asked for no special consideration
and have had this project unanimously approved at each level of civic review. It has had the
strong endorsement of City Planning since it was proposed. We request a final approval from
the City Council when the appeal is heard.
I know that I share the concern of others that we are responding to an appeal from the
Architectural Review Commission that has nothing apparent to do with architecture, but rather
long- standing parking and traffic concerns in the surrounding neighborhood. It is my
understanding that the City is addressing these issues with members of the Mission Orchard
Neighbors Association.
When it is finally complete I believe that the project will grace the neighborhood and serve the
community for many decades to come, as do its sister campuses built in the 1920s and 1950s.
Please keep in mind that if we are to have classrooms available for all our present students by
Fall of 2014 we must begin construction very soon, pending final permitting by the City. Thank
you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Fr. Russell Brown
Pastor, Old Mission San Luis Obispo
RECV- -Y\ /1EED
Goodwin, Heather FEB 2 5 2014
SLO ULL-K
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2014 4:10 PM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: Fwd: Council Correspondence: Request to Deny Appeal of OMS Satellite Classroom
Project
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Dated 5 )JJtem# j l
Begin forwarded message:
From: Deborah Stanwyck <dstanwyck @charter.net>
Date: February 24, 2014 at 3:04:10 PM PST
To: " Mejia, Anthony" <amelia @slocity.or >
Cc: Gary Stanwyck <stanwvck @stanfordalumni.org>
Subject: Council Correspondence: Request to Deny Appeal of OMS Satellite Classroom Project
Council Correspondence: Request to Deny Appeal of Old Mission School Satellite Classroom Project
Dear Council Members:
This email shall serve as my public comment to your February 25, 2014 Special Meeting regarding the
appeal of Old Mission School's proposed satellite classroom project on Palm Street across from the Old
Mission. I have reviewed your staff report and support your staff's recommendation to deny the design
appeal for this project. Given that the use permit for this project was approved in October 2013 and
your Cultural Heritage Commission recommended final approval by your Architectural Review
Commission and the project itself conforms with the City's community design guidelines there is no
grounds to grant the appeal. The ARC's unanimous vote to approve the project should therefore be
upheld and the project allowed to proceed immediately.
The construction of four small classrooms at the Palm Street location to accommodate the changing
nature of education (with focus on technology) at Old Mission School seems to be a very reasonable
request. Old Mission School has been in existence almost as long as the Mission itself — since 1876. It's
adjacency to Downtown and the Mission has allowed thousands of students to have a uniquely San Luis
Obispo experience. This minor expansion will accommodate the school's growing needs in a minimally
impactful way to the surrounding neighborhood.
So why am I, a small business owner in the City, writing a letter in support of this technical issue that
your staff and volunteer design professionals have so thoroughly examined for you? I am a graduate of
Mission Schools. When I attended the schools (not quite at the beginning, but a long time ago) the brick
building at Palm and Chorro, adjacent to this project, housed Chong's candy shop. My wife and I
remember vividly saving up our pennies to be able to stop at Chong's and enjoy his delicious treats. In
life however, things change and evolve, and the Chong's building now houses a realty business, a minor
change that continues to fit into the fabric of this neighborhood. The change from offices in support of
the school to four small classrooms is also minor compared to some of the other changes Downtown has
seen since the school has started. While change is hard, it is inevitable and when that physical change is
done in a manner that addresses all City requirements and is compatible with neighborhood uses — it
should be supported.
As a somewhat parentless youth, I owe much of my personal success to the education and support that I
received from the teachers, the families, and the clergy of Mission Schools. Today, very few
communities can say that they have a school founded in the 1800s that still exists to develop children
not just into well- educated individuals but also caring members of their community who constantly give
back and make San Luis Obispo a better place.
Sincerely,
Gary D. Stanwyck, M.D.
,avast!" This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
- 7� k "40
Goodwin, Heather
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2014 2:32 PM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: FW: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Anthony J. Mejia I City Clerk
Of sAII lull cll itV
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 9340.1
tel 805.78z.71-0 ?
FEB 24 2014 f
SLO CITY Y C ..:..
I
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date.' a7i item#
From: Marx, Jan
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2014 2:31 PM
To: Michele Gordon; Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Cc: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: RE: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Thanks for your message. I am including our city clerk in this response so your email is posted on the city
website as agenda correspondence.
Yours,
Jan Marx
Senl from my Variznn Wireless 4G I.TF Smanphone
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: Michele Gordon
Date:02/22/2014 2:06 PM (GMT- 08:00)
To: "Marx, Jan" , "Smith, Kathy" , "Christianson, Carlyn" , "Carpenter, Dan" , "Ashbaugh, John"
Subject: City Council Public Hearing 2 -25
Hello City Council Members,
I will be presenting at the City Council Public Hearing on February 25th. The attachment outlines my concerns
regarding the expansion of Old Mission School (774 & 776 Palm Street). This project did not receive adequate
review at the Administrative Use Hearing and the neighbors surrounding Old Mission School will request that
the City Council redirect review of Old Mission School's Palm Street Annex to the Planning Commission in
order to address the issues I have bulleted in the attachment.
I hope that you will have a moment to read our concerns prior to the meeting.
Respectfully,
Michele Gordon
762 Broad Street, SLO
Representative of the Mission Orchard Neighborhood Association
Goodwin, Heather
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Begin forwarded message:
FEB 2 5 2014
Mejia, Anthony
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 11:19 AM
Goodwin, Heather
Fwd: Public Comment on Appeal of The ARC Review commission's design review
approval of a classroom building and accessory staff office - 744 and 776 palm street
Mission Gardens Property Lines jpg
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date.--)/ _2511't items r� 1
From: "Christianson, Carlyn" <cchristi gslocity.org>
To: "Mejia, Anthony" <amejia cr,slocity.org>
Subject: FW: Public Comment on Appeal of The ARC Review commission's design review
approval of a classroom building and accessory staff office - 744 and 776 palm street
For public comment, thanks, C.
Carlyn Christianson
Vice Mayor, San Luis City Council
990 Palm St., San Luis Obispo 93408
cchristi a,slocity.org
805 -550 -9320 cell
805- 752 -1021 home (for city calls)
From: MaryAnn Riley [maryann.rileyggmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2014 7:37 PM
To: Marx, Jan; Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Cc: Mary Ann Riley
Subject: Public Comment on Appeal of The ARC Review commission's design review approval
of a classroom building and accessory staff office - 744 and 776 palm street
I, Mary Ann Riley served on Mission Garden Home Owners Association from 2001 -2013; which
is comprised of 36 Condominiums on the corner of Peach and Nipomo Street. During my time
on the Board Mission Gardens and Mission School have always had an amicable relationship as
we share two property lines. Occasionally fencing or balls coming over the fence may arise, they
have always been a good neighbor and responsive with our communication. We have been
neighbors for almost 40 years and worked with the City in the 1980's when Mill Street was
decommissioned between Chorro Street and Peach Street. I do not have a problem with Old
Mission School building Additional classrooms.
Mary Ann Riley
Owner and Past President
570 Peach Street, Mission Gardens
805- 748 -4335 cell
RECEIVED
Goodwin, Heather FEB 2 6 2014
SLO CITY CLERK
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 1:07 PM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: Fwd: Old Mission School Appeal Hearing - Errors and Omissions
Agenda Correspondence. AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Begin forwarded message: b dio l kiitem#
From: James Lopes <jameslopes(a�charter.net>
Date: February 25, 2014 at 10:44:32 PM PST
To: "Ashbaugh, John" <'as� hbauggslocity.org >, "Carpenter, Dan" <dcarpent ,slocit y�o ,
"Christianson, Carlyn" <cchristi(a,slocity.org >, "Codron, Michael" <mcodrongslocity.org >,
"Dietrick, Christine" <cdietrickga slocity.org >, "Lichtig, Katie" <klichtigga,slocity.org >, "Marx,
Jan" <marxgslocity .or g >, "Smith, Kathy" <ksmith(2slocit�org >, "Mejia, Anthony"
<amej iakslocity.org>
Subject: Old Mission School Appeal Hearing - Errors and Omissions
February 25, 2014
TO: City Council of San Luis Obispo
I attended and spoke at the City Council's hearing concerning an appeal by the Mission Orchards
Neighborhood Association of the Architectural Review Commission's approval of the Old
Mission School classrooms proposed at 774 and 776 Palm Street. My comments were to the
effect that the project was fully constituted at the location on 774 and 776 Palm Street and at Old
Mission School along Broad Street in the parking and loading /unloading areas. Staff had
disregarded the Broad Street location in the public hearing noticing and the environmental
determination. I think it important for you to understand the facts in support of my arguments:
The staff allowed the parking that is required for the new classrooms at 774 and 776 Palm
Street to be located at the Old Mission School, which incidentally is located further than
the maximum allowed distance of 200 feet for off -site parking. The staff recognized by
this allowance that the Old Mission School was part of the project. It was also
recognized that loading and unloading of students would occur in front of the Old
Mission School rather than at 774 and 776 Palm Street.
However, staff did not include the Old Mission School as part of the project in its
noticing and its environmental determination.
In distributing the mailed notice for all of the public hearings to property owners within
the minimum distances required by ordinance, and in the mapped legal hearing notice,
staff did not include those properties along the Old Mission School frontage on Broad
Street, even though staff had acknowledged that this location was part of the project
proposal.
The public hearing notice was therefore invalid under the California Government Code; new
hearings should have been required with proper notice being given to all parties within the
required distances from the project boundaries.
In preparing its environmental determination, staff did not acknowledge that parking, loading
and unloading activity is a significant problem at the Old Mission School frontage on Broad
Street. The environmental determination did not address this location, which is part of the
project.
• Testimony at the appeal hearing indicated that traffic conflicts and hazards occur along
the Old Mission School frontage; it is a controversial location with nearby residents.
• The environmental determination by staff was that the project is categorically exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 15332 - Infill
Development Project, and that it met all of the listed conditions for this exemption.
• However, the environmental determination did not address traffic impacts on Broad
Street to any degree which would assure that the project would meet condition 15332 (d):
"Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to
traffic,..." No traffic study was performed nor were any existing traffic impacts
recognized by staff or the City Council.
• The project as fully constituted does not qualify for a Class 32 categorical exemption
because existing traffic impacts are occurring from the project at Old Mission School on
Broad Street. There is controversy and factual evidence that these traffic impacts are
occurring at a "significant" level.
• The environmental determination should be revised to include the fully constituted
project sites, and a traffic study should be done to determine the level of traffic impacts at
Old Mission School on Broad Street.
• If the traffic study indicates that existing conditions are causing "significant effects
relating to traffic" (Section 15332(d)) then the proper course is to prepare an initial study
and a Mitigated Negative Declaration. CEQA case law requires that where significant
impacts related to the project are already occurring, then those impacts should be
addressed and mitigated to insignificance as part of a project proposal.
Staff did not indicate to the City Council that this course of action should be taken. In fact, they
did not address it in their response to testimony. This course of action would apply to all of the
hearings, starting with the Administrative Use Permit hearing, which should be re- noticed and
informed by a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Traffic Impacts. Given the controversy and
errors in the Administrative Use Permit hearing process, the City Council should have assigned
this appeal of the project to the Planning Commission, with the minimum noticing requirement
of adjacent properties expanded to at least 500 feet from both locations of the project. The
Cultural Heritage Commission and the Architectural Review Commission hearings also should
be properly noticed and re -held.
I would be glad to discuss this matter with you and your staff to determine the best interpretation
of the facts and law as possible.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lopes
James Lopes
1336 Sweet Bay Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Ph. 805 - 781 -8960