Land Use/Project Review Committee Report
January 5, 2009
Attending: Amanda Rice (acting as committee chair), John Lamb, Steve Cole, Joyce Renshaw, Jim Bahringer, Craig Smith.
The committee reviewed six projects – four remodel/additions on Single Family Residences and two “community” projects. We received hearing notices for three projects this Council has already commented on and one notice regarding vacation rentals in the rural area OUTSIDE Cambria and Cayucos.
Projects:
DRC2008-00083 LEE- MUP for an addition to an existing SFR located off Castle Street in Cambria. APN: 023-018-027. GVA 6 Comment: Making sure neighboring homeowners are aware of the project and how it may affect them should be a priority. Almost every neighboring home on Castle St. seemed to be occupied with full-time residents, unlike some similar streets with ocean views.
DRC2008-00067 BEEGER- MUP for an addition to an existing SFR located off Windsor Blvd. in Cambria. APN: 013-324-002. GVA 3 Comment: Located on the east side of Windsor in Seaclift Estates, this renovation/addition is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and is compatible with the Cambria Design Plan guidelines – right up to the limit in most cases. Making sure neighboring homeowners are aware of the project and how it may affect them should be a priority.
DRC2007-00070 OLDEN- MUP for an addition to an existing SFR located off Trenton Ave. in Cambria. APN: 023-222-061 and 062. GVA 8 Comment: This project is in SPA1. It includes an addition and significant remodeling on two lots. A variance request reviewed by NCAC was withdrawn in November. There appear to be two separate lots that used to be one APN. There are inconsistencies evident in the project and the committee would like to have the issue of whether TDCs will be needed or can be used in this area. The addition would add 3 guest rooms with attached baths on the first floor. Making sure neighboring homeowners are aware of the project and how it may affect them should be a priority.
DRC2008-00075 RICE- MUP for an addition to existing SFR located off Warren Road in Cambria. APN: 023-035-020. GVA 6 Comment: The committee was impressed with this project, in its restraint in size and attractive design. Compatible with the guidelines of the Cambria Design Plan. There aren’t really any neighboring homes – the existing residence has at least one empty lot in each direction – back, both sides and across the street and the renovation is unlikely to have much affect on the closest neighbors.
DRC2008-00071 State of CA- MUP to install parking places, signs, bridge rail, fee collection tube, and allow public access. 748 acre site located off Hwy 1, in Harmony. APN: 046-082-031. Comment: Much of what is proposed in this referral is already in place. The question of why this was even needed was raised. The visual impact is minimal – especially when the lot is empty of vehicles. Also raised: why the necessity of including ADA compliant parking for this facility?
DRC2008-00081 CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CAMBRIA- MUP for a new cell site located off Main Street in Cambria. APN: 013-101-018. GVA 5 Comment: The proposed site will be in an enclosed bell tower at the Catholic Church and will utilize storage sheds already on site. The applicant is Verizon.
Project Applications available online at http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/planning/referrals.
Notices Received
Notice of Public Hearing – Board of Supervisors
What : Appeal by Rosann Broten of the Planning Department Officer’s approval of a request by Michael Williams for a Minor Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit to allow a specified project located at 5246 Plymouth Street, Cambria. NOTE: This is in GVA 3
When: Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Contact: Paul Sittig, Project Manager 781-5600.
Outcome: Appeal Denied.
Notice of Public Hearing – Subdivision Review Board
What: Request by HEARST HOLDINGS on four existing legal certificated parcels to bring these parcels into conformity with parcel boundaries allowed under Hearst Ranch Conservation Project. Site located 1.5 miles north of San Simeon to Ragged Point, excluding some areas near Piedras Blancas. Also to be considered is the approval of the Environmental Document prepared for the project. Request for a Lot Line Adjustment
When: February 2, 2009, 9am, San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Chamber
Contact: Airlin Singewald, 781-5600
Notice of Tentative Action/ Public Hearing
(To request a hearing on this matter, you must send a letter before January 16, 2009)
What: Planning Department Hearing to Consider a request by Jose Nunes for a Minor Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit to construct a new 3840 square foot horse barn on a 23.9 acre lot off Kathryn Drive. NOTE: NCAC has already submitted comments on this project. It is in GVA 2.
When: January 23, 2009, 9am, San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Chambers #D170
Contact: Airlin Singewald, 781-5600
Notice of Public Hearing – Board of Supervisors
What : Hearing to consider the appeal by Richard Watkins of the Planning Commission’s determination that Vacation Rentals in the coastal zone, outside Cambria and Cayucos, require approval of a Minor Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit prior to commencing operations.
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 9am, SLO Board of Supervisors Chambers #D170
Contact: John Busselle, Project Manager 781-5154
January 2009 Traffic Committee Report
Attending: Jeremy Ghent (for Public Works), Amanda Rice (Acting as Chair), Noel Schmidt, Erwin Ohannesian, Lou Fedor, Antony Holderman and Barbara Snyder (constituent with an issue)
1. Some complaints to the county about speeding on some Cambria streets triggered a speed survey of Berwick (GVA 7) and Hartford (GVA 4). (A speed survey is meant to discover what speed is appropriate for a street, based on the 85th percentile rule.) There are a few problems with conducting these surveys in Cambria, the main one being the relatively low volume of traffic makes a statistically valid sample difficult to get.
Fortunately for us, even though the county is tightening its belt, Public Works was able to purchase a number of automatic “stealth” speed recorders. These would measure the speed of vehicles 24/7 and (after about a week) would provide a larger sample on which to base a determination. They can be attached to any power pole and are “stealth” because they are not very noticeable. This is critical, since the point is to measure the actual speeds people are driving and often people will slow down if they know their speed is being logged.
This is not a direct enforcement tool (although the logs would point to times when a sheriff or CHP might be likely to catch speeders). Plans currently call for speed surveys on “problem” streets – Berwick (GVA 7) , Hartford (GVA 4), Eton(GVA 5), Ardath(GVA 6,7,8), Windsor (GVA 3), Weymouth(GVA 2), Pineridge (GVA 7, 
) and a few others to be determined later. A report from public works will be coming once the surveys are in and being evaluated.
2. Cambria resident Barbara Snyder (GVA 7) attended the Traffic Committee meeting regarding a concern about problems with numerous cars parked in the Dovedale/Dorking/Woodview streets area. There is a public safety issue, especially if the Fire Department can’t get through. Mrs. Snyder offered a few suggested solutions, including:
- prohibiting parking on one side Woodview
- making Woodview a one way street
Public Works representative Jeremy Ghent will be reviewing the area concerns and will be working on resolving them if possible, starting with the public safety issue that arises when residents park on the narrow roads here in town.
3. Also in the very early stages: looking for grant funds from the “safe routes to school” program to install a sidewalk on Eton Rd (GVA 5).
4. The committee briefly discussed the way Main Street can get looking frumpy and could stand a bit of regular cleaning of street gutters, tidiness of newspaper stands and overgrown foliage. Perhaps there are enough Cambrians who feel the same way and we might want to consider encouraging formation of a “downtown beautification brigade” of volunteers willing to do clean-up and speak to business owners and landlords when vegetation needs attention or other issues arise. It doesn’t need to be formal or overly structured.
