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NCAC Agenda for August 19, 2009

AGENDA-August 19, 2009

6:30 Roll Call.
6:35 Consent Agenda: Changes, additions to Agenda &  Approval of Minutes, July  2009
6:35 Public comment period: Limited to items not on agenda.
6:45 Council Member Items/Discussion: Limited to items not on agenda.
6:50 -7:10 County and District Representative Reports
Sheriff/Law Enforcement:
Cambria Community Services District: Frank DeMicco
District 2 Supervisor : Bruce Gibson
County Liaison Reports: Jeremy Ghent, Airlin Singewald
Special Presentation: Main Street Bridge Replacement (rescheduled for September)
7:20 – 8:30 NCAC Reports
Traffic Committee: Erwin Ohannesian, Chair

Aimee Wyatt, Cambria Trolley update

Action: Approve comments as presented or amended to send to agency and supervisor.

Project/Land Use Committee: Joyce Renshaw, Chair

One Lot Line Adjustment, comments on project at 1043 Main Street.

Action:  Approve comments as written or amended to send to County.

Treasurer’s Report: Gary Gall
Chair’s Report: Amanda Rice

Appoint elections process revision ad-hoc committee.

Update on progress of Conservation and Open Space Element and Events Ordinance.

Web Site updates and training update.

8:30 Adjourn

All meetings at Rabobank Community Room, 1070 Main Street

Next meeting: Wednesday, September 16,  2009

NCAC meets third Wednesday of month, except December, 6:30 PM

Committees meet the 1st Monday of each month at Rabobank.

Traffic & Transportation Committee meets at 3:00 PM

Land Use/Project Review Committee meets at 6:00 PM;

North Coast Advisory Council, P.O. Box 533, Cambria, CA 93428   (805) 927-4191

www.NorthCoastAdvisoryCouncil.org

Land Use/ Project Review Report

August 3, 2009

Attending: Joyce Renshaw, John Lamb, Neil Cohen, Amanda Rice
Project Description: SUB2008-00104 Coal 09-0018 Planner-Bill Robeson.  Lot Line Adjustment between two parcels to allow for on site sewage disposal, expansion area and to conform with AG buffer setback.

APN: 013-062-003 and 005

Comments: Is the sewage disposal expansion area  adequate to not contaminate the aquifer of CCSD? The lot line adjustment will allow them to put a septic tank more than a 100 feet from the CCSD property line. This should be adequate.

Recommendation: Support

Project Description PMT2004-00269  1043 Main Street Planner: R. Hostetter. Commercial building on Main Street at the end of Cambria Drive.

Comments: Planner Ryan Hostetter asked for our input regarding the commercial building at  1043 Main Street.  An e-mail from her stated concerns regarding the  appearance of  the building as it nears completion. Because this project is visible from one of Cambria’s gateways, the committee recommends sending a letter with the following comments:

We share many of your concerns. Our Land Use Committee took a field trip to the site on August 3, 2009. We looked closely at the building’s outside. The current construction does not look like the approved 2006 plans nor does it conform to some aspects of the Cambria Commercial Design Plan. It lacks many of the aesthetic qualities and details the permitted plans included. The use of colors/materials is not what was decided on in the 2006 design and the use of natural rocks is missing.

The requirement of using box size trees that the signed developers agreed to has not been met.  We recognize that large trees are expensive, and that the small trees that have been planted will grow over time, but we would like to see at least some larger trees to soften the property.

We agree that the sign is very important because it is the Gateway to Cambria. As you know, the Land Use Committee is waiting for the McKinneys to bring us new plans for the sign to review. We felt the sandblasted redwood, shown in the plans, would not stand out enough to be visible. We talked with the McKinneys in terms of larger, bolder letters. We did not recommend anything specific because we wanted to see what the McKinneys would propose.

The project as it stands now does not look like the project approved.  This is of concern to the Council, but we also are concerned that the Planning Department did not raise these issues earlier.

Traffic Committee

August 3, 2009

Attending: Erwin Ohannesian, Amanda Rice, Aimee Wyatt

Recommendation: approve a letter supporting some changes to the Cambria Trolley service ,  including:

  • review of the current route to reduce wait time for passengers,
  • a small sign at each stop noting times when trolley arrives/leaves that stop,
  • encouraging coordination with the Chamber of Commerce to increase ridership and assure funding.


DRAFT

MINUTES OF REGULAR NCAC MEETING

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2009

I Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 6:29 PM

II Roll Call

Present: Bambi Fields, Gary Gall, Leslie Richards, Neil Cohen, Brad Hale, Jim Bahringer, Sigrid Casteneda, John Lamb, Michael Thompson, Jeff Miller, Erwin Ohannesian, Amanda Rice,  Marty Munoz-Main, Joyce Renshaw,  Javier Veliz, Dawn Dunlap

Absent Excused: Bob McLaughlin, Brad Hale(late), Bobbie Schade, Mary Giacoletti, Marjorie Ott, Debby Mix

Absent: Lou Fedor

III Changes to Current Agenda

One change to Chair’s Report

IV Approval of Minutes of June 2009

2 changes/additions

John Lamb-Land Use Report of June 2009, approved unanimously.

Sigrid Castaneda was excused, not absent unexcused, from June’s meeting.

V  Public Comment

Robert Davis, resident of Morro Bay representing SLO Bike Club, annual event upcoming on September 26.  The Lighthouse Bike Ride;  2600 bikers expected.  On Sept. 19-Pre-ride Event .

Route: Cuesta College to Piedras Blancas.  7am to 5 pm.  Road should be clear by 3 PM  Highway Patrol will supervise route.  A Fundraiser for high school , college scholarships and local charities.  Also, funds go to Cuesta College programs.

Asks for help by passing the word.  Call 543-5973 for more information.

VI  Council Members’ Comments

1. Amanda Rice still has a dog for someone to adopt.

VII  Sheriff’s Report

Brian Beethem,(sp.) Sheriff’deputy. Cayucos 4th of July events orderly.  Also, orderly in Cambria.

VIII  CCSD Report- Mr. De Micco, director.

Higher rate scale to stabilize budget.

One more water tank needs replacing, but no committed expenses/projects currently.

Steve Cole-question about desal possibilities.  De Micco says he is committed to the project.  When?  Gibson says “in a while”.

CCSD and Healthcare District currently working together on some projects to perhaps consolidate some services.

IX District 2 Supervisor’s Report-Mr. Bruce Gibson

Tuesday, July 21-Hearing re. VACATION RENTALS. To be held at Board of Supervisor’s chamber at a time not yet announced.

Friends of the Library Fundraiser-fundraiser for new library.  $1.2 million necessary for Friends to raise.

0910 County Budget passed.  Reduction of funds for Health Clinic (Dr. McBride).  Agreed to keep clinic opened through year’s end.

State Budget: $26 billion.

Expenses far exceed funds allotted. State may borrow, as it has done previously from the counties. Property taxes and local taxes such as gasoline tax may be “borrowed” from county and paid back with interest at a later date. Negotiations now underway.

Suggests you may write to legislators regarding this financial situation.

Supervisor Gibson: Friday and Saturday of this week will be in Sacramento for Conference on Budget Reform for the future.

? from Gary Gall: re. furloughs. Deputy Sheriffs received 7% pay raise, as was required in contracts.

Gibson-this Tuesday, hearing to cut Supervisors’ salaries.

Erwin Ohannesian.-money allocated for highway and road maintenance cannot be “switched” to other uses.

X  County Liaison Reports: Jeremy Ghent

New street light on Main Street.-replacement

Projects in Cambria not affected by budget cuts.

Work order for 25 MPH signs on Ardath.

Lampton Park day use/camping issues.

John Lamb-;truckers braking, causing loud noise on Ardath Street between Madison and Randal.  Can a sign be put there?

Jeff Miller-Leffingwell Bridge update?

Gary Gall-go directly to the trucking company to voice a complaint?

J. Lamb-some of the trucks are local.

XI Traffic Committee Report-Erwin Ohannesian, Chair

Short presentation by Aimee Wyatt re. reducing carbon footprint.  She is the new advisor of RTA, which has 3 buses in Cambria. The Cambria Trolley also facing funding issues in September and are in need of more volunteer drivers.

Warren Gay-community shuttle for 25 years. Supplemented by Community Council. Maximum of 8 passengers.

Monday through Friday: 8am-5 pm. Door-to-door. Recipients of Service must be 60 years old OR disabled.  Also, once a week, trolley goes to SLO for doctor’s appointments, which are first priority.

There are presently 35 volunteer drivers. The dispatcher holds the only paid position.

CALL 927-4173 TO SCHEDULE A RIDE.

Bus is also available for some events, such as Kitchen Tour, etc.

Neil Cohen-Cambria Anonymous Neighbors also volunteer rides to various appointments.

Bambi Fields-does bus go to San Simeon.  YES.

XII Project/Land Use Committee Report-Joyce Renshaw, Chair

John Lamb, reporting. Recommends support of DRC 2008-00151. Motion to approve. VOTE-passes unanimously.

Vacation rental ordinance also discussed at the last Land Use Committee Meeting. A letter was drafted by Amanda Rice(posted on NCAC website) to be sent to Board of Supervisors re. several issues which may mitigate the problems encountered by several local residents.

The Planning Department has already published its own report with John Busselle who was at the meeting also.  Specific issues re. vacation rental discussed and the changes which could occur would be one or more of the following types:

Administrative change

Interpretive change

Amending the Ordinance-need Coastal Commission approval.

John Hals(?)-local resident opposed to vacation rental licenses used by real estate agents to sell homes.  If ownership changes, and fee is paid, the license continues. The situation would evolve as has the issue of water meters in Cambria. Vacation rental licenses should be like dog licenses, which expire when the dog does.

Supervisor Gibson-vacation rental currently needs

Land Use Permit and Vacation Rental Business License

County needs to set basic rules re. policy re. vacation rentals.

John Hals(?)-why not just enforce problem properties?

Brad Hale- ? re.both requirements.

Frank DeMicco-endorses cooperation with Sheriff.

Presently, Cambria has 275 vacation rental homes, none in Leimert (CC& R’s forbid )

Audience member(not identified) asks if DeMicco is aware of existence of  Vacation Rental Ordinance. (Later identified as Martin Verheagh)

Leslie Richard-restoration of residential character?

Dr. Ann Pickard-local Marine Terrace resident who has lived 9 years next to a Vacation Rental She has called the Sheriff’s office, property manager and has gotten no suitable response.

Once had a fire on the deck of the rental while she was on vacation

Has experience  incident after incident, such as 2 incidents within a 6 month period, noise, disturbing the peace, wood smoke, curfew for outside noise. Suggests

new construction or additions to existing vacation rentals should be prohibited.

And a stiffer policy of enforcement.

Neil-one third of all vacation rentals do not have a professional property manager.

Pickard-has called and sent letters to follow up.  She has rec’d letters back, abusive in nature.  When selling the house, this situation would affect the value of resale.

John Lamb-suggests Council endorse the letter written by Amanda Rice

Kate-do regular neighbors cause the same problem?

Brad Hale-suggests eliminating the problem renters only.

Supervisor Gibson-problem areas/neighborhoods.

Vacation rentals are commercial use in a residential neighborhood.

Erwin O.-conditional use permit.   Suggests license go with the owner, not with the land.

Supervisor Gibson-CUP in SLO is attached to the land

S. Cole-offers himself as an observer to Dr. Pickard and asks others to call 909-9797 if they need his help for these situations.

M.Main-Do neighbors have to be notified by the County before a vacation rental license is granted? No, only after.

Barbara Crowley-lot size contributes to the problem.. She can hear the vacation rental occupants next door, even when they are not yelling.

She says she lives next door “to the most successful rental in town”.

Dawn Dunlap-Cambria subdivided in 1930 when original cabins were built on small lots.

John-County has no ability to regulate  and enforce the current Ordinance.

Wayne Ryburn-Ordinance needs more enforcement. He tells of vacation rental nightmare on Marine Terrace.

Brad Hale-overkill situation.  Keep 99% of vacation rentals in place. Terminate the problem rentals.

Martin Verheagh(sp?)- began  Ordinance in 1998.  Asks for County to limit the # of vacation rentals to the present number.

From 1998-2003: throughout this time, all vacation rentals were grandfathered.

Dave Lackman- another Cambria resident with vacation rental nightmare. Lives next to rental which produces excessive noise.  The noise limit is too high.  Is happy to hear that the situation is finally being discussed and comments by public being made. Permits/licenses should not be attached to the property .  Prefers bidding process for the license.

Bob Casper, manages 30 vacation rentals in Cambria. Has had no problems.

After vacation rental license is issued, neighbors are then notified.  One half of vacation rentals ARE NOT professionally managed.

In addition, there are many ILLEGAL vacation rentals operating without a license.

CCMA- a professional management association.  See website at sloccma.org. for a list of  all homes which are professionally managed.

$750,000-$1 million in taxes paid by vacation rentals and also residents benefit indirectly from vacation rentals.

Jeff Miller-at least 10 illegal vacation rentals.

Mike Stotter-changes in Ordinance OK but enforcement is needed. Rather than changing the Ordinance, just enforce the rules of it.

Gary Gall-requirements of problem property

Jeff Miller-suggests that after 2 violations in 6 months of non-professionally managed property, “ticket” should be imposed.

Motion to add suggestion to Drafted Letter.  VOTE

Motion passes. 9 in favor, 3 opposed.

Neil Cohen-change “documenting complaints” to “ substantiating complaints”

Behringer-opposes changing land use to plot plan. May higher the density of vacation rentals. His motion to change does not receive a second.

Motion to change letter as described by Cohen above.  VOTE

Motion passes unanimously.

XIII  Treasurer’s Report-Gary Gall, Chair

$73.80 balance

$634.00 paid for recent election, not including newspaper ads.

Budget presented for next year.

Discussion .  Supervisor Gibson says $1000. requested by NCAC will be granted.

NCAC Budget approved unanimously.

XIV  Chair’s Report-Amanda Rice

August-Main St. Bridge Replacement

Web maintenance for the future-Debby Mix and Marty Main

EIR grading-environmental impact-anyone interested? Supervisor Gibson says others will cover.

XV  Adjournment of Meeting

At 8:55 PM

Respectfully submitted, Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary