HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC-1109-2025 ( GENP 0610-2025 -- 1540 Froom Ranch Way)
RESOLUTION NO. PC-1109-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING COMMISSION
DETERMING GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE FOR
THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPROXIMATELY 2.8-ACRE PORTION OF OPEN
SPACE LAND IDENTIFIED AS ASSESSOR PARCEL NO. 053-510-012 (PORTION)
WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, AS
REPRESENTED IN THE STAFF REPORT AND ATTACHMENTS DATED AUGUST
27, 2025 (COSTCO WHOLESALE OPEN SPACE DEDICATION, GENP-0610-2025)
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public
meeting in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on
August 27, 2025, for the purpose of considering application GENP-0610-2025; and
WHEREAS, notices of said public meeting were made at the time and in the manner
required by law; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has duly considered all evidence, including the
testimony of interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said
hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of San
Luis Obispo as follows:
Section 1. Findings. Based upon all the evidence, the Commission makes the following
findings:
1. The City of San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Program has received a Letter of Interest
proposing a dedication of land for open space and trailhead purposes in the southerly
portion of the City’s Greenbelt. The 2.8-acre portion of the property is contiguous with
the City’s existing Irish Hill Natural Reserve and contains natural resource values that
warrant the City’s conservation efforts, as well as land management and passive recreation
trailhead benefits.
2. The City of San Luis Obispo, as a local agency that has adopted a General Plan, must
submit the proposed dedication to its Planning Commission for a General Plan conformity
determination, as required in association with the acquisition of real property under
California Government Code Section 65402.
3. The Planning Commission considered the request and determined that the intended use and
site acquisition for open space conservation and passive recreation purposes by the general
public complies with goals, programs, and policies of the Conservation and Open Space
Element (COSE) of the City of San Luis Obispo’s General Plan, specifically COSE 8.1,
8.5.1, and 8.7.1(D), as well as the priority-setting policies found in COSE Appendix B.
Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-1109-2025
GENP-0610-2025 (1540 Froom Ranch Way)
Page 2
Section 2. Environmental Review. A General Plan conformity determination is exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3), which
provides the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing
a significant effect on the environment. The determination of general plan conformity for
acceptance by the City of dedication of land from the property owner is not subject to CEQA
because the recommended action is only a policy review of whether acceptance of the land for
open space and trailhead purposes is consistent with the City's General Plan. It can be seen with
certainty there is no possibility such conformance review will have a significant effect on the
environment.
The underlying dedication is also exempt from the provisions of CEQA because it involves
“acquisition of lands for … wildlife conservation purposes including (a) preservation of … wildlife
habitat… and (c) preserving access to public lands … where the purpose of the acquisition is to
preserve the land in its natural condition” (CEQA Guidelines §15313), and because it involves the
“acceptance of … fee interests in order to maintain the open space character of the area” (§15317).
Section 3. Action. The Planning Commission does hereby find that the Costco Wholesale
Open Space Dedication, GENP-0610-2025, is in conformity with the City’s General Plan.
On motion by Commissioner Munoz-Morris, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Flores, Jorgensen, Munoz-Morris and Vice Chair Tolle
NOES: None
REFRAIN: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Cooley, Kahn and Chair Houghton
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 27th day of August, 2025.
_____________________________
Tyler Corey, Secretary
Planning Commission