Planning Commission Meeting Update

January 14, 2009                     Wednesday                            7:00 p.m. 

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

OATH OF OFFICE:  Swearing in of new Commissioner Mary Whittlesey was postponed due to the absence of Commissioner Whittlesey.

ROLL CALL:  Commissioners Michael Boswell, Michael Draze, Eric Meyer, Airlin Singewald, Vice-Chairperson Michael Multari, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:   Agenda was accepted as presented. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of December 17, 2008, were approved as modified.   

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None  

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   1525 Calle Joaquin.  ABAN 133-08:  Request to abandon portion of Calle Joaquin near Hampton Inn; C-T zone; City of San Luis Obispo – Public Works Department, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore) 

Deputy Director of Public Works Tim Bochum provided the staff report recommending the proposed abandonment of portions of Calle Joaquin be found to be consistent with the General Plan and that the Commission recommend approval of the abandonment to the City Council subject to findings and conditions. 

Commissioners clarified questions of timing, extent of the abandonment, and provision of bike trails.   

There was no public comment. 

On motion by Vice-Chair Multari, seconded by Commr. Draze, the Planning Commission found the right-of-way abandonment to be consistent with the General Plan and recommended that the City Council approve the abandonment with findings and subject to conditions. 

2.   City-wide.  GPA 120-08:  Introduction and status report on the 2009 Housing Element Update; City of San Luis Obispo – Community Development Department, applicant.  (Kim Murry) 

Kim Murry, Deputy Community Development Director, presented the staff report, providing status of the Housing Element Update work done to date.  Demographic, employment, income, and affordability information was provided as well as an overview of legislative changes that must be addressed in the Housing Element.  Review of the proposed draft policies and performance of the existing policies is anticipated to begin in early March.  No action by the Planning Commission is required at this time. 

Commissioners asked questions about many aspects of the demographic, legislative and background data and provided information about categories of residents that may need to be addressed through development of policies and programs.  Commissioners provided several corrections to the draft background data report. 

Biz Steinberg, EOC, provided public testimony regarding the need for rapid-rehousing, sheltering, and supportive services for our homeless population. 

No action was required by the Commission, and the status report was received and filed. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

3.   Staff 

a.  Agenda Forecast – Staff provided a forecast of the January 28^th agenda and reminded the Commission of the Council direction for action minutes. 

4.   Commission  None. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours