North Coast Advisory Council
Minutes of regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Rabobank Community Room
1070 Main Street
I Call to Order-Chair Joyce Renshaw at 6:34 PM
II Roll Call-Marty Main
Present: Bob McLaughlin, Bambi Fields, Gary Gall, Marjorie Sewell(late), Gail Robinette (late), Ralph Covell(late), Teri O”Rourke, Sigrid Castaneda, Joyce Renshaw, Tom Gray, Jeff Miller , Erwin Ohannesian, Clive Finchamp, Debby Mix,
Matt Van Weerden Poelman(late), Marty Munoz Main, Laurel Stewart
Excused: Stevan Rosenlind, Teri O’Rourke, Mary Giacoletti, Dawn Dunlap
Absent: Mac Van Duzer, Mary Giacoletti
III Establishment of Quorum, Agenda Review
Approval of Minutes of March meeting.
IV Public Comment Period
1. Amanda Rice- Fire Chief Miller support and online petition. Chief Miller stated in his letter to her that his firing had nothing to do with any misconduct on his part. Call
A. Rice for additional information @ 927-4191. Petition can be found at www.
thepetitionsite.com/1/we supportchiefmiller
2. S. Cole-trash cans at bus stop. Who takes care of pick-up? Bahringer says Mission County is responsible.
V Council Member Items-Discussion
B. McLaughlin-reiterates support for Chief Miller.
VI Consent Agenda-motion passes
Approval of Minutes of March 16, 2011 Meeting
Treasurer’s Report-current balance $1120.22
VII Public Agency Reports
1. Public Safety-Greg Eiger-CHP gives report
H1 closed for at least one month. CalTrans has message signs o Highway One, which seem confusing for a lot of motorists. SHP now assisting in Monterey County since the closure. Parking citations for those illegally parked in handicapped parking spaces. Enforcing registrations on cars and also give tickets for cellphone use ( a $161. ticket)
B. Fields-Highway One is open only partway.
K. Tanner-northern slide area open as of tonight.
T. Gray-confusion re. signage on H One.
M. Sewell-questions presence of motorcycles _CHP in training.
E. Ohannesian- phone number to call to find latest road conditions: 800-427-ROAD.
J. Miller- signs remotely programmed?
Private contractor hired to handle messaging.
2. Sheriff’s Department Report-Jay Donovan
Last month: 259 calls, which include 45 medical, 18 alarms, 13 thefts(most identity thefts)
residents are advised to watch credit cards, shred all important documents with names, and addresses, etc. Lock your car and do not leave wallets , purses inside
John Lamb-door-to-door solicitation requires business license, but the license is not required upon demand.
Tree Trimmer Thefts-inside job? Victims being “followed” and habits noted. Keep alert as to cars/strangers.
3. CCSD-Jim Bahringer-no report
4. District 2 Supervisor’s Report-Bruce Gibson
Santa Rosa Creek Road-bid is out for fixing problems.
Steve Price-signs on H. One-send comments via email.
Gibson will not be on Coastal Commission this year.
County Budget-proceeding.
Carriza Plains- Solar Project in County. Approved. Project may have some legal issues forthcoming.
5. Planning Department Update-Airlin Singewald
PROJECT: VACATION RENTAL ORDINANCE UPDATE
Public review draft available online: www.sloplanning.org . Project continued to July 14, 2011 with Planning Commission. John Busselle @ 781-5154. Planning Commission heard this item on April 14 and took public comment and continued the item to July 14, 2011. Planning Commissioner Ken Topping suggested a 200 foot radius distance limitation to apply for vacation rentals in Cambria only. NCAC has already submitted comments to County.
PROJECT: Land Use and Circulation Element(LUCE) Update
The project is the first major Land Use and Circulation Element update in over 25 years. Forwards strategic growth goals in rural areas of SLO County. Consolidates 15 planning areas based on watersheds.
Mike Wulkan, CONTACT PERSON. 781-5608
On March 29, 2011, the BOS directed staff divide the LUCE update into 2 phases. PHASE ONE would be an organizational update to consolidate planning areas, establish rural plans and community plans, and amend highway corridor design standards.
PHASE TWO would update policies and standards to implement strategic growth policies.
PROJECT: Temporary Events Ordinance Update
Planning Commission heard this item on Mar. 31, 2011 and continued it to June 9, 2011. Staff report will be available online at www.sloplanning.org .
Karen Nall for questions.
PROJECT: PG&E Tree Removal Minor Use Permit-Coastal Development Permit
Staff is reviewing the company’s proposed tree replacement mitigation plan.
Ryan Hostetter, contact person at 788-2351.
Questions-
B. Fields-vacation rental ordnance does not apply to San Simeon? Does not.
R. Hawley- why so long to settle with PG&E issues? Has been 2 years…
6. Public Works-Tree Trimming-Frank Honeycutt
Goal-to cover the entire town of Cambria on county maintained roads and grant access for bikers, pedestrians, as well as motorists.
Especially intersections.
White, generic doorhangers with wrong info were given out by SLO County Public Works. Please dispose of all doorhangers left on your door. Do not share; please shred.
Focus is on tree-trimming only.
Wood will be hauled away or chipped.
Tools will be cleaned to avoid the spread of disease.
Let County know of your intentions.
R. Hawley-more care should be taken when cutting. Fire Dept. has stated that trucks can get through all streets. Destruction of forest could be a result of haphazard cutting. $ could be redirected to other uses. Leave the forest alone.
Is the 15 foot leeway mentioned somewhere in a county ordinance?
F. Honeycutt- see Cal Trans Highway Design Manual.
Hawley-why is tree trimming such a burning issue these days?
Frank Honeycutt-It is time for Cambria. We are way overdue.
R. Covell Rick and Frank should discuss issues together and arrive at some compromise.
A. Rice- Forest Committee-how are the priorities made for county tree trimming?
Issues-residents, geography, etc. How are they considered?
F. Honeycutt-some neighborhoods require more trimming than others.
Chief Miller was very supportive, says Honeycutt.
PGE use Davey to cut trees.
Pamela Thompson-complains about too many cars parked in front of her home, which appears surrounded with vacation rental homes. Is grateful for the trees being trimmed.
7. RTA Service Report/Update-Ed King, reports
RTA= San Luis Obispo Regional transit authority
Staff recommendation- eliminate trolley service, increase weekend service on Route 12B.
The farebox recovery ratio was 3.6%, well below the minimum 10% required.
funding from CCSD ended in Sept. 09.
It is therefore recommended that the trolley service be discontinued this summer and reallocated the service hours to improving weekend service on Route 12B which currently provides fixed route service between San Simeon-Hearst Castle, Cambria-Cayucos-Morro bay and SLO.
Rec: a public workshop be held on May 11 or 12 in Cambria to obtain community and stakeholder feedback. The new service would start sometime in early July. Staff would continue to work on trolley service scenarios when the economy improves.
Staff Recommendation: authorize the Executive Director to discontinue trolley service in Cambria and reallocate service hours to weekend Route 12B service.
Discussion:
K. Tanner-is trolley still available for special community events? Yes, at $68/ hour.
M. VanWeerden- extended period of time to wait is one complaint. Wants bus to travel up and down Main Street (also, Chamber is in favor).
Business owners prefer trolley to bus.
Ed King-a community group needs to subsidize the trolley.
CCSD-stopped funding in Sept. 2009.
Motion by Ralph Covell –to write a letter to CCSD to open discussion re. possible restart of funding???
M. Clift- issue on funding the trolley with tax dollars from water and sewer.
B. Fields-will there be trolley service to Shamel Park on 4th of July this year?
Yes, at $68/hour. Who will pay??
Report given by E. King goes out on May 4th. Any questions/comments/suggestions-contact him ASAP.
B. Gibson-in agreement with downsizing the trolley service,
M. Clift-difficult to fund any event which is outside of Cambria such as San Simeon.
Ralph Covell-letter should open a discussion and possibly a solution.
Alan Fields, bus driver, – motels are not aware of the trolley service.
Bed tax should be hiked to pay for trolley service.
Motion – to write letter to CCSD 8 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 abstention.
Motion passes.
R. McLaughlin-proposes an ad hoc committee for the problem. No one else is interested.
J. Miller-committee not needed.
J. Renshaw- will ask for members” opinions and write a letter to CCSD.
VIII Old Business
Election Procedures Reminder-Election is May 3, 2011 for Area 7 candidates
Erwin Ohannesian and Amanda Rice.
Gary Gall-Election Committee Chair.
IX NCAC Reports
1. Business Traffic and Transportation Committee Report-Erwin Ohannesian
Subject: Safety on Bridge and Center Streets. Possible reversal of traffic flow in front of Post Office?
J. Brannon and Traffic Committee have had several meetings.
J. Brannon- illegally parked cars on both sides of Center and Burton as one exits have created a safety problem.
Cites prior experience as fireman.
reports on issue of reversing traffic.
Has rec’d copy of Opinions via Email on subject of traffic reversal.
In spite of all previous discussions, the Board of Supervisors have already decided to implement procedures toward safety in that area.
Frank Honeycutt-filling in for Ryan Chapman:
Public Works,, in its report re. Bridge/Center Streets One Way Analysis
states that the reversal of traffic would create new operational problems and would alos create problems with the location of the Post Office drop boxes. The cost of $40G to $100G would be needed to coordinate with the Postal Office to construct a median island to place the boxes.
Instead, Public Works is considering several solutions to address the safety concerns, as noted in the letter below.
(scroll down)
Burton Business District will have a 25 MPH speed limit as well as a 4 way stop sign at the intersection of Center and Burton.
Painting of the centerline and replacing the missing raised pavement markers.
The area will also be monitored and if problem persists, Public Works will look at additional changes.
Implementation_ a couple of weeks.
Any questions or comments, rchapman@co.slo.ca.us or by phone at 781-1406.
Frank Honeycut- any special problem like pothole, weeds obscuring traffic signs, etc. can be dealt with by having residents contact county.
Report by Erwin Ohannesian
Parking problem around the Post Office and Center street. AT&T has a facility in the middle of it. Two driveways which are nto used. Requests removal of driveway to add a few more parking spaces.
2. Environmental Report-Mary Giacoletti-no report. Absent
X New Business
Land Use and Project Review Committee, Tom Gray, Chair
1. DRC2010-00045 QUAN — MUP to remove 170 square feet of deck and replace with 448 square feet of new deck. Site located at 1935 Berwick Ave., Cambria. APN: 023-105-013.
Planner: Paul Sittig
Link to MUP application:
http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/referrals/coastal/DRC2010-00045_QUAN/DRC2010-00045_QUAN.pdf
Comments: This project would replace a 180 sq. ft. deck, off the second floor on the west (ocean-facing) side of the existing structure, with a 448 sq. ft. deck. With an existing 40 sq. ft. deck remaining on the east side of the house, the total decking (all permeable) would be 488 sq. ft.
The planned deck appears to be within setback and height requirements, although next-door neighbors to the south have expressed concern to the Land Use Committee about the nearness of the new deck to their own rear yard and rear deck.
The Committee takes note of that concern. It also sees two areas in which the proposed project may be in conflict with county planning standards. One is the applicant’s determination that 58 Transfer of Development Credits (TDCs) would be required. The other is the planned use of TDCs to enable construction of decking beyond the standard limit of 30% of maximum allowable footprint.
On the issue of TDC count, the maximum permeable decking allowed on a lot of 3,500 square feet is 390 sq. ft. (1,300 max. allowable footprint X 30%). The plan calls for total decking – all permeable – of 488 sq. ft. By the County’s own formula, the TDC requirement should be 98, not 58.
As for using TDCs to increase deck size past the 390 sq. ft. limit, this is not expressly permitted by the North Coast Area Plan. The plan (see “Planning Area Standards,” pp. 7-65 and 7-66) says only that TDCs can be used to increase “Footprint or Gross Structural Area.” It may be an informal County custom to extend the use of TDCs to decks, but such unofficial practices are not conducive to a transparent permitting process
In fairness to the applicant, the County should follow its normal procedure in deciding whether to grant this MUP. However, the Committee requests that the language regarding use of TDCs be clarified as to decks and other improvements not mentioned in the North Coast Area Plan now.
Recommendation: Approve, under the following conditions: 1) that the County follow its normal criteria as to the use of TDCs for decks, and 2) that the TDC requirement be changed to 98, or the stated requirement of 58 TDCs be explained.
Discussion:
David Craig, neighbor objects to above plan. Lives directly behind 1935 Berwick.
1200 is the max allowable footprint , not 1300 as stated in report.
Another neighbors present to object to the plans. Cite invasion of privacy as well as use of TDCs to build a deck.
Deck is too large for the neighborhood character..
Tom Gray-issue of the TDC and the max. footprint..
privacy issue for neighbors.
Decks-limited to 30% of allowable footprint.
T.Gray-subjective issue in terms of privacy.
the recommendation stands.
K. Renshaw-terms issue as example of “folk ordinance”.
Laurel Stewart- is the residents paying TDCs to receive whatever is desired?
Motion Proposal by Jeff Miller
If it is the County’s normal practice to disallow(Not follow) the NCAP plan and to use TDCs for decks, then…the deck plan will be approved by Council.
Motion vote: for change in wording addition- 6 in favor, 1 opposed, 2 abstentions
Motion passes.
Motion to approve project with change of wording
In favor-0
Against-7
Abstain-2
Motion to approve project Does NOT pass.
2. DRC2010-00055 KIRKPATRICK – MUP to add 704 sq. ft. to an existing 990 SFR at 860 Kenneth Drive, Cambria. APN: 023-026-003.
Planner: Paul Sittig
Link to MUP application:
Comment: Project would remove a 196 sq. ft. existing deck and add 704 sq. ft. of living space and a new deck of 176 sq. ft. New gross structural area would be 1,694 sq. ft. and footprint would be 1,012 sq ft. on a lot totaling 11,904 sq. ft. Two Monterey pine trees and two oak trees would be removed.
The addition is within limits as to footprint, GSA, living area and setbacks for a lot of this size (the closest point to a lot line would be 6 feet). The new construction is designed to blend as much as possible with the appearance of the existing structure, and the stone walls, covered carport and other distinctive elements seen from the street would be preserved.
The plan as submitted calls for the planting of eight oaks and four pines to be planted for the two oaks and two pines that need to be removed. According to the “Planning Area Standards” of the North Coast Area Plan (p. 7-23), pines are to be replaced at a 4:1 ratio and oaks at a 6:1 ratio. There appears to be adequate room on the parcel to plant pines and oaks at these ratios, so the number of replacement trees should be increased to eight pines and 12 oaks.
Recommendation: Approve, with correct replacement planting requirement.
Discussion of Second Project. Motion to approve project as stated. ]
Approve-9
Unanimous. Motion approved.
3. SUB2010-00029 COAL 08-0003 STEINER – Lot line adjustment between two parcels located off San Simeon Creek Road. APNs: 013-271-017 and 021.
Planners: Paul Sittig and Bill Robeson.
Links:
Comment: This is an application to adjust the lot line between parcels at 3310 San Simeon Creek Road owned by Phelan Land Company II, LLC, and Steiner Creek Cattle Co., LLC. The applicants wish to transfer approximately 4 acres between the two parcels (each of approximately 160 acres) to relocate the lot line from San Simeon Creek to the center line of San Simeon Creek Road. No change in the existing use of this land is requested.
Recommendation: Approve.
Discussion of Third Project (lot line adjustment between 2 parcels off San Simeon Creek Road)
Motion to approve.
In favor- 9
Motion passes unanimously.
XI Chair’s Report-no report tonight.
XII Adjournment of Meeting at_9:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary
