HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3b. General Plan Conformity Report for the Proposed Acquisition of Property by the City of SLO for community-serving use
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN CONFORMITY REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED
ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FOR
COMMUNITY-SERVING USE. THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT CONSTITUE A
“PROJECT” UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
AND IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA GUIDELINES § 15378).
BY: Ivana Gomez FROM: Tyler Corey
Phone: (805)781-7147 Phone: (805)781-7169
Email: igomez@slocity.org Email: tcorey@slocity.org
APPLICANT: City of San Luis Obispo REPRESENTATIVE: N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution determining General Plan Conformance for the acquisition of
property located at 975 Broad Street (GENP-0248-2026).
1.0 COMMISSION'S PURVIEW
Pursuant to California Government Code §
65402, the Planning Commission shall make
a determination regarding the consistency of
the proposed acquisition of 975 Broad Street
with the City’s General Plan. Specifically,
Section 65402 requires that the location,
purpose, and extent of real property
acquisition (and disposition) be submitted to
and reported upon by the planning agency
having jurisdiction as to conformity with the
City’s adopted general plan (Cal. Govt Code
§ 65402(c)). The Commission’s review is
limited to General Plan conformity and does
not constitute approval of a specific
development project or future use of the site.
2.0 SUMMARY
The proposal consists of the City’s prospective acquisition of the property located at 975
Broad Street (APN 002-412-010) (see Figure 1 above). The site is a Local Register
historic resource1 located within the Downtown Historic District in the Medium-High
1 The property was added to the Historic Resources Inventory as a Contributing property in 1983.
All Contributing properties were reclassified as Local Register Resources when the updated
Historic Preservation Ordinance went into effect on February 13, 2026.
Meeting Date: 5/13/2026
Item Number: 3b
Time Estimate: N/A
Figure 1: Aerial View of Project Site
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Item 3b
975 Broad Street
Planning Commission Report – May 13, 2026
Density Residential Zone with Historic Overlay (R-3-H). The property is located within
Block 10 in the Downtown Concept Plan and is specifically designated as appropriate for
community-serving or hospitality uses, including museums, government facilities, and
similar civic uses2. The site’s location adjacent to Mission Plaza and within the City’s
Downtown Historic District presents a unique opportunity for the City to secure a centrally
located property for community-serving use.
The proposed acquisition would allow for interim community-serving use of the site, with
future long-term use to be determined through subsequent City Council direction and
potential collaboration with community partners. Any future use would be subject to
applicable City regulations, including zoning, historic preservation requirements, and
environmental review.
3.0 PREVIOUS REVIEW
The property was added to the City’s Local Register of Historic Resources in 1983. No
recent discretionary approvals related to redevelopment or alteration of the site are
associated with this request.
As noted in the report, at this time, this is a proposed acquisition of property by the City.
The City Council conducted a closed session conference in accordance with the Brown
Act to discuss real property price and terms for the subject property on April 7, 2026 and
May 5, 2026. At the beginning of the regularly scheduled City Council meetings that
immediately followed, the City Attorney reported that the City Council had provided staff
with directions on price and terms of payment to work towards acquisition of the property
and no further reportable action was taken. If agreement can be reached by the City and
the seller, staff will return to Council in open session on May 19, 2026 to seek final
authorization to acquire the property.
4.0 PROJECT ANALYSIS
4.1 Historic Preservation
The project site is located within the Downtown Historic District and in close proximity to
several historic and cultural resources, including the Carnegie Library / History Center
and Mission area. Any future alterations or redevelopment of the site would be subject to
the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 14.01), including consistency with the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines.
2 City of San Luis Obispo Downtown Concept Plan
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Item 3b
975 Broad Street
Planning Commission Report – May 13, 2026
The General Plan supports the identification, preservation, and rehabilitation of significant
historic and architectural resources, as well as compatibility among historic properties,
reinforcing the City’s broader cultural heritage and sense of place (Conservation and
Open Space Element §§ 3.2 and 3.3). City ownership of the site would support the
preservation and stewardship of the property within its historic context and help maintain
compatibility with adjacent historic resources and the surrounding district.
4.2 Consistency with Downtown Concept Plan and General Plan Policies
The Downtown Concept Plan serves as a guiding vision document for long-term land use
and public investment in the downtown area. The project site is located at the edge of the
Downtown Commercial area, across Broad Street from Mission Plaza and in proximity to
other civic and historic resources. The Downtown Concept Plan identifies the location of
the site as Block 10, appropriate for community-serving uses, including government
facilities, museums, churches and schools (See figure below from § 3.14 of the Downtown
Concept Plan). The proposed acquisition would enable the property to be utilized for
interim and future community-serving purposes consistent with this vision 3.
The General Plan Land Use Element further identifies downtown as the focal point of the
community and supports a range of civic, cultural, and community-serving uses that
contribute to its role as the City’s cultural and governmental center (Land Use Element,
§§§ 4.1, 4.3, and 4.8). In addition, the General Plan supports the provision and reuse of
public and cultural facilities that serve the community and enhance access to civic and
cultural resources (Land Use Element, §§ 5.1 and 5.2). Public ownership of the site
provides an opportunity to support civic, cultural, and community-oriented uses, including
spaces for community gathering and programming, which contribute to downtown vitality
and overall community well-being.
3 The site is currently zoned R-3 (Medium-High Density Residential). While certain community-
serving uses may be permitted or conditionally permitted within this zone, implementation of
specific long-term uses may require specific entitlements.
Figure 2: Block 10 of Downtown Concept Plan
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Item 3b
975 Broad Street
Planning Commission Report – May 13, 2026
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposal does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15378, as it does not commit the City to a
specific development project or result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical
change in the environment. The action can be considered an organizational or
administrative activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical
changes in the environment (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(b)(5)). Any future development
or change in use of the property would be subject to separate environmental review in
accordance with CEQA4.
6.0 OTHER DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
This item has been reviewed by relevant City departments including the Planning Division
and City Administration. Any future development or use of the site would be subject to
applicable City standards and requirements, including but not limited to historic
preservation and environmental regulations.
7.0 ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not adopt the resolution. The Planning Commission could determine that the
proposed acquisition is not consistent with the General Plan and provide findings
identifying the basis for inconsistency identifying the specific General Plan policies
with which the project does not conform.
2. Continue the item. The Planning Commission may continue the item to a future
meeting to allow for additional analysis or information; however, this alternative
would not be timely for the City’s purchase arrangements and subsequent review
by City Council scheduled for May 19, 2026.
8.0 ATTACHMENTS
A – Draft Resolution Finding General Plan Conformity for 975 Broad Street
4 Any interim use of the existing structure would be subject to applicable CEQA review,
however, operation of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of use may qualify for a
categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15301.
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RESOLUTION NO. PC-XXXX-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING COMMISSION FINDING
GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE FOR
THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 975 BROAD STREET. THE
PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PER SECTION 15378 AS REPRESENTED IN
THE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT AND ATTACHMENTS DATED
MAY 13, 2026 (975 BROAD STREET, GENP-0248-2026)
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 May 13, 2026, for the purpose of considering application GENP-0248-2026;
and
WHEREAS, 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 ; 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 acquisition of the property located at 975 Broad Street is consistent with the
General Plan (Land Use Element Sections 4.1, 4.3 and 4.8) because it aligns with the
Downtown Concept Plan’s identification of the site for community-serving uses and
supports the role of the downtown area as the City’s cultural, civic, and governmental
center.
2. The acquisition of the property located at 975 Broad Street is consistent with
General Plan policies related to public and cultural facilities (Land Use Element Sections
5.1-5.2), because it facilitates interim and potential future civic and community-oriented
uses that serve the broader community and contribute to downtown vitality.
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3. The acquisition of the property located at 975 Broad Street is consistent with
General Plan policies related to historic preservation (Conservation and Open Space
Element Sections 3.2-3.3) because it supports the preservation and coordinated
stewardship of a designated historic resource within the Historic Preservation Overlay
Zone and maintains compatibility with adjacent histo ric resources.
Section 2. Environmental Review. The proposed General Plan conformity
determination is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it does not commit the City to a spec ific
development project or result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the
environment. The action can be considered an organizational or administrative activity of
government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment
(CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)). Any future development or change in use of the
property would be subject to separate environmental review in accordance with CEQA.
Section 3. Action. The Planning Commission does hereby find and report that the
proposed acquisition of the property located at 975 Broad Street (GENP-0248-2026) is in
conformance with the City of San Luis Obispo’s General Plan pursuant to California
Government Code Section 65402.
On motion by , seconded by , and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
REFRAIN:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 13th day of May 2026.
_____________________________
Tyler Corey, Secretary
Planning Commission
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