Planning Commission Meeting Update

May 14, 2008                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Dan Carpenter, Michael Multari, Amanda Brodie, Diana Gould-Wells, Carlyn Christianson, Vice-Chairperson John Ashbaugh, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson  

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Agenda accepted as presented 

MINUTES:  Minutes of April 23, 2008.  Approved as amended.   

PUBLIC COMMENT:  None   

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        3190 – 3250 S. Higuera Street.  PD 41-08; Request to amend allowable uses in Walter Center to include real estate offices; O-PD zone; Steven Hopkins, applicant. (Brian Leveille) 

Associate Planner Brian Leveille presented the staff report.  Brian Leveille summarized the background of the Walter Bros. Center, noting the previous modifications to the approved PD overlay list which have allowed uses similar to real estate offices in the center.  Commissioner Carpenter asked staff if there was an apparent reason why real estate offices remained as prohibited uses when other office uses have been allowed. Associate Planner Brian Leveille noted that, based on research of past Planning Commission meeting minutes and staff reports, there did not appear to be any intent to maintain the prohibition on real estate offices.  Applicant Steve Hopkins had no statement and indicated he was available if there were any questions from the Planning Commission.  The Commission had no questions for Mr. Hopkins.  There was no public comment on the item.  On a motion by Commissioner Multari, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the motion carried on a 7:0 vote.  

2.        3229 Broad Street.  U 173-07; Review of mixed-use project in the Service-Commercial (C-S-S) zone with 4,000 square feet commercial space and 8 residential units; Hamrick Assoc., applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

Associate Planner Brian Leveille presented the staff report.  Brian Leveille covered the background on requiring a Planning Commission Use Permit to allow mixed-use projects in the Service-Commercial and Manufacturing Zones.  Brian Leveille discussed the project’s conformance with the mixed-use project provisions of the Zoning Code, and provided an overview of the site layout, project location, and list of allowed uses for the project.  Commissioner Multari noted there was a mistake in the parking calculations since the building was an overall 4,000 square feet and the parking requirement was based on 3,600 square feet of floor area.  The Commission opened the public hearing to public comment and the applicant’s representative, Warren Hamrick, noted he had no concerns about the recommended conditions of approval. There were no additional comments from the public.  In Planning Commission discussion, there was concern there may not be enough parking for certain uses that are allowed in the Master Use Permit for the project.  Commissioner Ashbaugh brought up that the main concern was there would not be enough parking for restaurant uses. On a motion by Commissioner Multari, seconded by Commissioner Gould-Wells, the motion passed on a 7:0 vote with the added condition that restaurant uses require approval of an Administrative Use Permit.  

3.        Orcutt Area Specific Plan and EIR.  GP/SP/ER 209-98:  Review and discussion of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and Draft EIR; Barbara Parsons, applicant.     (continued from April 23, 2008, meeting)  (Michael Codron) 

The Planning Commission received a presentation from staff that included an update on the Cultural Heritage Committee’s review of OASP Section 2.5, Cultural Resources, and the ARC’s review of OASP Chapter 4, Community Design.  The Commission continued their discussion of Chapter 3 with Section 3.3, Affordable Housing.  Staff provided the Commission with additional viewshed information, showing where development is proposed to occur on Righetti Hill, and recommending architectural review of house plans during the Subdivision Review process for sensitive sites at the base of Righetti Hill.  Staff also presented the Commission with an updated hearing schedule and the itinerary for an Orcutt Area Field Trip scheduled to occur on May 28^th just prior to the next Planning Commission meeting.  The Planning Commission completed its review of Chapter One through Chapter Three of the Draft OASP and will begin discussing Chapters Five (Circulation), Six (Public Utilities) and Seven (Public Services) on May 28^th. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

4.        Staff 

A.     Agenda Forecast 

Staff provided the Commission with an overview of items scheduled for future agendas. 

5.        Commission 

There was no Commission discussion. 

ADJOURNED   The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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.