HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2017 PC Minutes
Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order on Wednesday,
May 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Chair Stevenson.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Kim Bisheff, Scott Mann, Nicholas Osterbur, Hemalata Dandekar, and
Chair Charles Stevenson.
Absent: Commissioner Ronald Malak and Vice-Chair John Fowler.
Staff: Assistant City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere, Community Development Deputy Director
Xzandrea Fowler, Recording Secretary Monique Lomeli. Other staff members
presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Stevenson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MANN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
DANDEKAR, CARRIED 5-0-2 to approve the minutes of the Joint Council and Planning
Commission meeting of April 12, 2017 as amended:
“Commissioner Dandekar requested mixed-housing options in the downtown area with a greater
consideration to affordability.
Commissioner Mann referenced his written correspondence, suggesting softening intersections
to slow traffic as it approaches the downtown core.
Chair Stevenson recommended removal of the Cannabis Regulation and Climate Action Plan
Implementation white papers to be replaced with categories focused on healthy communities and
incentive-driven housing programs.”
Minutes – Planning Commission Meeting of May 10, 2017 Page 2
BUSINESS ITEM
1. 609 Palm Street. USE-0388-2017/EID-0349-2017: Conceptual review of the proposed
Palm/Nipomo Parking Garage project that includes commercial space and the San Luis
Obispo Little Theatre and the public scoping meeting to discuss the work-scope of the
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) being prepared for the project; O-H & R-3 zones;
City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.
Parking Manager Scott Lee provided a brief history of the proposed project.
Contract Environmental Planner Shauna Callery, Rincon Consultants, Inc., presented an
in-depth staff report.
Deputy Director of Public Works Tim Bochum responded to Commission inquiries.
Public Comments:
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, read from written correspondence submitted by Allan
Cooper.
Dave Hannings, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the project and expressed concerns
regarding noise impacts.
Babak Naficy, San Luis Obispo, expressed opposition to the project and submitted
written correspondence.
Rachel Drake, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the project and voiced concerns
regarding environmental impacts.
Ken Schwartz, San Luis Obispo, commented on the cultural significance of the site.
--End of Public Comment--
Commission discussion followed, with direction to staff to include an additional study
regarding greenhouse gas emissions and to modify the EIR scope as follows:
1. Include a rooftop public access space.
2. Consider the adverse impact to a scenic vista a potentially significant impact versus
a less than significant impact.
Commission recessed at 7:27 p.m. and reconvened at 7:35 p.m., with all Commissioners present.
2. Mission Plaza Concept Plan. OTHR-0172-2017: Conceptual review and discussion
of the Mission Plaza Concept Plan within the Downtown Historic District; discussion
of this item is not subject to CEQA; C-D-H zone; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.
Minutes – Planning Commission Meeting of May 10, 2017 Page 3
Engineer Manny Guzman briefly introduced the project consultant and invited the
Commission to provide feedback on the conceptual design.
Design Consultant Leif McKay, RRM Design Group, presented an overview of the
Mission Plaza Concept Plan, identifying areas to be revised with the intent to
incorporate public feedback, and responded to Commission inquiries.
Public Comment:
Ken Schwartz, San Luis Obispo, voiced disagreement with the boundaries of the
conceptual design urged the Commission to recommend expanding the vision of the
plaza.
David Drake, San Luis Obispo, echoed the sentiments of Mr. Schwartz and suggested
integrating more cultural emphasis.
Rachel Drake, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the plan and suggested possible
expansion of boundaries.
Dave Hannings, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the conceptual plan and suggested
expanding the plan.
--End of Public Comment--
Commission discussion followed with the following recommendations:
1. Include additional permanent seating near the amphitheater.
2. Incorporate opportunities to encourage appropriate use of space.
3. Provide greater consideration to safety within multimodal areas.
COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION
Deputy Director Fowler provided an agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Planning Commission
is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 06/28/2017