HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-2017 PC Minutes
Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order on Wednesday,
April 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Chair Stevenson.
ELECTIONS
By consensus the Commission elected Commissioner Charles Stevenson to serve as Chairperson
and Commissioner John Fowler to serve as Vice-Chairperson.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Kim Bisheff, Hemalata Dandekar, Scott Mann, Ronald Malak,
Nicholas Osterbur, Vice-Chair John Fowler, and Chair Charles Stevenson.
Absent: None
Staff: Deputy Director of Community Development Xzandrea Fowler. Other staff members
presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DANDEKAR, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR
FOWLER, CARRIED 7-0 to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission for the
meeting of February 22, 2017 as presented.
MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR FOWLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
BISHEFF, CARRIED 7-0 to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission for the
meeting of March 8, 2017 as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, expressed concerns regarding climate change.
Minutes – Planning Commission Meeting of April 26, 2017 Page 2
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. 1545 and 1675 Calle Joaquin. GENP-0156-2017: General Plan Conformity
determination for property dedication from the City of San Luis Obispo to Caltrans as
part of the Los Osos Valley Road Interchange improvement project; discussion of this
item is not subject to CEQA; C-T and C/OS zones; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.
Engineer Kyle Rowland presented a staff report.
Public Comment:
Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing.
None.
Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing.
ACTION: MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR FOWLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MALAK, CARRIED 7-0 to adopt the resolution which determines and reports to the
City Council, that the proposed relinquishment conforms to the General Plan.
2. Downtown Concept Plan. GENP-1622-2015: Update on the Downtown Concept Plan
project; discussion of this item is not subject to CEQA; multiple zones; City of San
Luis Obispo, applicant.
Associate Planner Rebecca Gershow presented a brief history and update on the
Downtown Concept Plan project; responded to Commission inquiries.
Public Comments:
Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing.
Alan Cooper, Save Our Downtown, expressed concerns regarding plan design
conformity.
David Brodie voiced concerns regarding height regulations, preservation of retail space,
and bicycle safety.
James Lopes, San Luis Obispo, spoke regarding inconsistencies in building height
regulations; read written correspondence aloud.
Leah Brooks, Bike SLO County, spoke in favor of the plan and suggested the City take
greater measures toward providing safe crossing of bicyclists at intersections.
Bob Jorgensen, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the Downtown Concept plan and
offered suggestions for expansion.
Minutes – Planning Commission Meeting of April 26, 2017 Page 3
Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing.
Chair Stevenson acknowledged concerns regarding inconsistencies regarding height
within the Downtown Concept Plan (DTCP), LUCE, and City zoning regulation
policies; reminded the public that the DTCP is conceptual and not intended to be a
regulatory document.
Commissioner Malak would like to see an analysis of sun, shade, and wind relative to
buildings; suggested consideration for surrounding businesses to avoid creating
unnecessary competition for local businesses; stated he would like to see components
of the plan codified for the sake of consistency.
Commissioner Mann would like to see more cross-town multi-modal connectivity;
suggested slowing traffic down at intersections approaching the downtown area to
increase pedestrian safety; suggested modifying language that states “focus attention on
the downtown’s gateways” to “focus attention on the downtown’s multi-modal
gateways”; suggested referring to green infrastructure as “storm water management”
for clarity; stated he will submit additional written comments to staff.
Commissioner Osterbur spoke in favor of the plan and suggested shutting down
Monterey Street and limit access to pedestrian and bicyclists.
Commissioner Dandekar spoke in favor of the plan and suggested closely monitoring
the upcoming zoning regulation updates to ensure consistency; encouraged mixed-use.
Chair Stevenson expressed concerns regarding availability of affordable housing in the
downtown core and encouraged creative solutions to increase density.
COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION
Assistant City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere provided an update on City emails relative to the
Public Records Act; stated the City Attorney’s Office will be releasing a comprehensive memo
addressing the issue.
Chair Stevenson introduced newly appointed Commissioners Osterbur and Mann.
Deputy Director Fowler provided an agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 08:02 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Planning Commission
is scheduled for Monday, May 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 07/26/2017