The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08-12-2015 PC Minutes� Punning Commission Minutes 4 Wednesday, August 12, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Planning Commission was called to order on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Larson. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Michael Draze, John Fowler, Ronald Malak, and Chairperson John Larson Absent: Commissioners Hemalata Dandekar, William Riggs, Vice - Chairperson Michael Multari Staff Present: Deputy Community Development Director Kim Murry, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell, Fire Chief Garret Olson, Interim Assistant City Attorney Anne Russell, and Recording Secretary Sarah Reinhart ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES By consensus, consideration of the minutes of July 22, 2015 was postponed to the next regular meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS Chair Larson noted that public correspondence was received from GR Flores, San Luis Obispo, regarding the closure of the downtown Shell station. There were no members of the public desiring to speak. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. 159 Broad Street. AP -PC 32 -14: An appeal of the Community Development Director's decision approving a minor subdivision of a 14 -acre parcel into 4 parcels and a 13.27 -acre remainder parcel, with a categorical exemption from California Environmental Quality Act; R -1 zone; Cheryl McLean and Andrew Christie, appellants; Andre, Morris, & Buttery, applicant. Planning Commission Minutes of August 12, 2015 Page 2 Chair Larson announced that due to a noticing error, this hearing would be postponed to a date uncertain. PUBLIC COMMENTS David Hafemeister, San Luis Obispo, advised that he does not oppose to proposed subdivision of the four lots, but is concerned that it will lead to future development on the 13.27 acre reminder parcel. .body Vollmer, San Luis Obispo, voiced concerns that a hearing notice was not posted on Bressi Place in addition to Broad Street; requested that public hearing notices be mailed to residents within 300 feet of the project site. Cheryl MacLean, Appellant, San Luis Obispo, expressed dissatisfaction that there has been confusion related to her appeal and an error has occurred in the noticing of the hearing. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Larson continued the public hearing for future testimony at the duly noticed hearing. COMMISSION COMMENTS In response to Commission inquiry, Community Development Deputy Director Murry explained that a noticing error occurred and that staff is recommending that the matter be continued to a date uncertain to allow staff to resend public notifications; advised that staff will investigate if there was a process error and will take appropriate corrective action in the future. On motion by Commissioner. Draze, seconded by Commissioner Malak, the Commission continued this item to a date uncertain and accepted the written correspondence and public testimony into the record. AYES: Commissioners Draze, Fowler, Malak, and Larson NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Commissioners Dandekar, Riggs, and Multari The motion passed on a 4:0 vote STUDY SESSION Fire Master Plan Update Fire Chief Olson and Stewart Gary, of Citygate Associates, narrated a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Fire Master Plan Update" and summarized preliminary findings on fire service policy implications and service -level options; requested feedback relative to questions of response time equity, perceived service gaps, preferred location for a potential fifth fire station, timing of when development should trigger construction of the fire station; and potential funding strategies. Planning Commission Minutes of August 12. 2015 _ Page 3 COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Draze conveyed that citizens are sometimes reluctant to support expenditures perceived to only benefit new development areas, noting that Council will be challenged to identify funding sources for a new fire station and crew. Commissioner Draze requested clarification of methodology to identify potential locations for fifth fire station, and capacity of existing resources to address community needs. In response to Commissioner Draze's inquiries, Fire Chief Olson and Mr. Stewart explained that the recommended fifth fire station would significantly expand the area of the City which could be serviced within four minutes travel time; explained that the high volume of calls near Santa Rosa and Foothill Avenue correlate to areas with more dense concentrations of residential apartment complexes and elder care facilities. In response to Commissioner Fowler's inquiry, Deputy Community Development Director Murry stated the City does not currently have a fire impact fee assessed for new projects, noting that is will be considered as part of the Infrastructure Fee study planned for the upcoming calendar year. Commissioner Fowler questioned whether the City could take intermediary steps to expand capacity at existing fire stations in an effort to defer the need for a fifth fire station. Fire Chief Olson explained that an analysis of expanding existing resources and /or relocating a fire station has been evaluated and determined that based on the City's geography there will be a coverage gaps without a fifth fire station. He also noted that the department has taken steps to increase responsiveness by providing early notification during emergency calls and by using "quickest route" software that dispatches closest resources to an emergency call. Chief Olson and Mr. Stewart noted that a four - minute travel response time is a national best - practice, however, the Council may adopt any policy standard reasonable for the community. In response to Commissioner Malak's inquiries, Fire Chief Olson explained that a full fire crew and apparatus are deployed to every call because responders do not know what tools may be needed to address an emergency and it also allows them to be ready for another call without the need to return to the station for additional equipment; advised that it is unlikely that Cal Poly would be moving toward establishing their own fire station, noting that several other California Universities have moved towards consolidation with City fire departments. Chair Larsen pointed out that there are no federal or state requirements relative to fire response standards but the National Fire Protection Association recommends a four minute travel time; noted that the General Plan should to be clarified to reflect the community's expectations for fire service. Planninq Commission Minutes of August 12, 2015 Paae 4 Commissioner Draze suggested that equity of response time for service may be phased in to developing areas since new structures require sprinklers and demographics of newer neighborhoods tend to generate fewer service calls. He further opined that it could be deemed equitable to the community to have less than four minute response times in the central portion of the City and 5 -6 minute response times in the southern portions of the City during the early years of development. As development ages, more equal response times may be needed and the City should be aware of locations of high risk populations needing service. Commissioners Fowler and Malak and Chair Larson concurred with the points made by Commissioner Draze regarding equitable fire service in the City. Commissioner Fowler encouraged staff to continue to explore both short- and long- term options to improve fire response times. There were no further comments made from the Commission. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 3. Staff: a. Agenda Forecast Community Development Deputy Director Murry provided an agenda forecast of upcoming items. 4. Commission: None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Reinhart Recording Secretary by the Planning Commission on August 26, 2015. RoiRony i City Clerk