Planning Commission Meeting Update

November 19, 2008                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Carlyn Christianson, Michael Multari, Airlin Singewald, Vacant Position, Vacant Position, Vice-Chairperson John Ashbaugh, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Agenda accepted.    

MINUTES:    Minutes of October 22 & November 5, 2008.  Minutes of October 22^nd approved as amended – no changes to minutes of November 5^th.     

PUBLIC COMMENT:  None  

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        City-wide.  GPI 47-08:  Review of a draft Night Sky Ordinance to mitigate light pollution at night; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (James David) 

Assistant Planner James David presented the staff report detailing the proposed night sky ordinance.  He explained that it is an adopted Council objective and helps implement General Plan policies to mitigate light pollution and preserve the starry night sky.  Mr. David noted that this was the second time the Planning Commission was addressing the night sky ordinance and listed the edits that had been made based on previous input from the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Commission. The Planning Commissioners questioned about illumination thresholds, definitions, and the City's overall efforts to meet State Senate Bill 5X.  There was public comment from Steve Shin, who represented CBS Outdoor Billboards.  He was concerned that a statewide energy retrofit program for upward facing lights on billboards may be impacted by the proposed ordinance.  The Commission deliberated and decided to add an exemption to address Mr. Shin's concerns.  Chairperson Stevenson also presented wording for an introduction to the ordinance, which was accepted by the Commission. On a motion from Vice Chairperson Ashbaugh, seconded by Commissioner Multari, the Commission voted 5:0 to recommend the City Council approve the night sky ordinance with minor edits to include an introduction and the aforementioned exemption. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

2.        Staff 

a.      Agenda Forecast – Deputy Director Davidson provided the forecast and stated that the next regularly-scheduled meeting of December 3^rd is cancelled.   

3.        Commission – Council-elect Ashbaugh thanked the Commission and looked forward to working with all of them as a City Councilmember.      

ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 8:20 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