NORTH COAST ADVISORY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
I Call to Order-meeting called to order by Chair Joyce Renshaw at 6:30 PM
II Roll Call
Present: Bob McLaughlin, Bambi Fields, Stevan Rosenlind, Marjorie Sewell, Gail Robinette, Ralph Covell, Teri O’Rourke, Joyce Renshaw, Tom Gray, Erwin Ohannesian, Debby Mix, Marty Munoz-Main, Matt VanWeerden Poelman, Mary Giacoletti, Laurel Stewart
Excused: Gary Gall, Amanda Rice, Dawn Dunlap
Absent: Sigrid Castaneda, Clive Finchamp, Mac VanDuzer
III Establishment of Quorum, Agenda Review-agreed
IV Public Comment
1. Reg Welk, resident of Pembrook St., Park Hill
discusses issue of excessive speeding on Winsor Blvd and area in front of Shamel Park to the Highway. Would like to see deer crossing or other slow speed sign in the area. Recent injury and death to small fawn being hit by speeding car was witnessed by residents of the area. Speed indicator trailer set up by County has not helped to a noticeable extent. Has written letters to all appropriate county agencies and reads another letter he wrote last year re. this issue.
2. Juay Olson- lives on Main Street near Venus Arms Apartments-Also concerned about speeders in her area. Has painted the curb red to discourage parkers from parking to the right of the driveway, which blocks ability of apartment dwellers to exit the parking area in a safe mode. The county has told her it will fine her for each day that the curb remains painted. She has come to ask the Council for help with this issue. Most of the residents have almost been hit by cars speeding by.
3. S.Cole-reiterates need for signage in area around Shamel Park
Questions Erwin O., who lives on Lodge Hill, where deer signs are located.
County offers to install speed trailers once again.
Supervisor Bruce Gibson offers solution of perhaps reducing speed limits on certain streets in Cambria.
Traffic committee will also work on solving problem.
4. G. Robinette, council member, and Park Hill resident is encouraged by comments heard tonight re. safety of deer and solutions offered.
Tom Gray-curve in front of Shamel Park is dangerous. Inadequate signage.
V Council Members’ Comments-include G. Robinette, above
1. Ralph Covell-has Ranch at end of Bridge Street, over 1000 acres. A fire in this area could potentially burn down the whole town. Needs to have a 100 foot firebreak along Bridge Street in the near future so special grant is able to pay for all of it. The grant will expire soon and the town will have to pay for it sometime in the future. Speaks of the possible devastation to owners of destroyed homes . Has worked for 12 years with County and Nature Conservancy. Has hired a pine tree expert to work on Covell Ranch fire management.
Members of Greenspace Board of Directors ( Valerie Bentz, Rick Hawley, and others ) have expressed opposition to the way in which the trees will be removed, the spreading of native and non-native seeds among the forest, the displacement of animals, etc.
Now the Coastal Commission also wants to be included in the decision to create/not create a firebreak.
Attended County Meeting with members of Greenspace present. County had legal counsel present. County says permits are needed to clear land for fire protection.
Project need to be completed by May 2011 for available funds to be used.
Project needs to go forward.
County: if a Coastal Permit is needed to build a firebreak, no firebreak will ever be built.
Greenspace is against the firebreak project. Covell Family has nothing to gain by this project. Suggests that all concerned Cambrians contact the Supervisor, the county personnel, fire officials and others to voice their concern.
Opposition defies common sense.
2. E. Ohannesian-questions County re. speed survey on Winsor Blvd. Cty will try to investigate solutions.
3. Bob McLaughlin-recent accident on Highway One. Would like to work on a no passing zone between Cayucos and Hearst Castle…topic of discussion for next traffic committee meeting on the first Monday of November at Rabobank at 6:30 PM.
VI Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes of Sept. 21, 2011 and Treasurer’s Report: current balance of $1,050.40
Motion to approve passes
VII Public Agency Reports
1. District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson
Clinics will be kept open through June 2013
Tour of Bridges on San Simeon Creek Road-bridges almost done.
Santa Rosa Creek Road project almost finished.
CCSD-thanks for trail connector.
Also, excess speed a problem in all communities.
EEE-engineering, education and enforcement-to deal with excessive speeds
Library Fund- citizens of Cambria should unite and contribute to Library fund.
S. Cole-gratitude to our Supervisor for his efforts to benefit the town.
2. Planning Department Update: Airlin Singewald-handout, see below.
Department of Planning and Building Major Projects – October 2011
Project Description
Upcoming Hearings/Meetings
Contact
NCAC Involvement
General Plan and Ordinance Amendments
Vacation Rental Ordinance Update
Amendments would address noticing requirements, distance measurement, noise standards, etc. Public review draft available online:www.sloplanning.org Board of Supervisors hearings are expected to take place in January 2012.
John Busselle 781-5154jbusselle@co .slo.ca.us NCAC has already submitted comments/recommendations to County.
Land Use and Circulation Element (“LUCE”) Update
First major Land Use and Circulation Element Update in over 25 years.
Forwards strategic growth goals in rural areas of County. Consolidates 15 planning areas based on watersheds. We’re in the process of compiling background information (e.g. population and buildout projections) and will present this information at a future public workshop.
Mike Wulkan
781-5608 mwulkan@co.slo.ca.us
On March 29, 2011, the BOS directed staff divide the LUCE update into two phases. Phase 1 would be an organizational update to consolidate planning areas, establish rural plans and community plans, and amend highway corridor design standards. Phase 2 would update policies and standards to implement strategic growth policies. Contact Mike Wulkan for details on project schedule or if you have interest in participating in future workshops or stakeholder groups. Ultimately, draft LUCE update will be submitted to NCAC for review/comments/recommendation.
Temporary Events Ordinance Update
Amendments would modify existing standards and permit requirements for temporary events (e.g. weddings, etc.).
Board of Supervisors November 8, 2011
Karen Nall
781-5606
knall@co.slo .ca.us Planning Commission completed review on July 28 and forwarded recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Amendments are scheduled to be heard by the Board on November 8, 2011. NCAC already forwarded recommendation to PC.
Contact Karen Nall for questions.
Agricultural Cluster Ordinance Amendments
Amendments would eliminate density bonus and require more environmentally sensitive agricultural cluster subdivisions. Program would add cluster provisions to Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance based on existing underlying parcels. Planning Commission hearings in winter 2011/2012.
Bill Robeson 781-5607 brobeson@co.slo.ca.us Draft EIR is out for public comment. Public
review period extended to Friday, October 21, 2011.
Residential Accessory Structures
Updates to standards for residential garage sizes, guesthouse requirements, and home occupation kitchens. Tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission hearings in winter
2011/2012 Kerry Brown kbrown@co.slo.ca.us 781-5713
NCAC already reviewed and submitted
comments to staff.
Wind Energy Facilities
Updates would bring ordinance standards into conformance with State law by allowing wind energy facilities by right subject to specified height and setback standards.
Tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission hearings in winter 2011/2012
Kerry Brown kbrown@co.slo.ca.us 781-5713 NCAC already reviewed and submitted
comments to staff.
County Energy Wise
Plan (Climate Action Plan)
Outlines the County’s approach to reducing GHG emissions through various goals, measures, and actions for achieving a GHG reduction target of 15% below baseline levels by 2020 (1990 levels). Public review draft available online:www.sloplanning.org Planning Commission
hearing on October 27, 2011. Staff report currently available online. James Caruso 781-5702
jcaruso@co.slo.ca.us Public hearing draft available online:www.sloplanning.org
NCAC submitted comments and recommendations in September 2011.
Development Projects Appeals
Cambria Air Force Station / AT&T Communications Facility (“cell site”)
On May 13, 2010 Planning Commission determined that proposed facility would be allowed on site as a modification to an existing facility. Staff is processing application.
Application is under review, and project will be scheduled for a future Planning Commission
hearing. Airlin Singewald 781-5198 asingewald@co.slo.ca.us
NCAC supported project.
Interested parties may attend future Planning Commission hearing.
PG&E Tree Removal Minor Use Permit /Coastal Development Permit DRC2010-00022
Staff is reviewing PG&E’s proposed tree replacement mitigation plan.
Planning Department Hearing TBD.
Ryan Hostetter 788-2351 rhostetter@co.slo.ca.us PG&E will plant replacement trees within the
lower fern canyon area (APNs: 023-201-002, 023-201-053, 023-208-037, and 023-234-062)
at the specified ratios in the North Coast Area Plan. Application is complete and will be scheduled for an upcoming PDH hearing. NCAC will receive a hearing notice.
Covell Ranch Project-MUP application has begun.
Cambria Energy Fair- 4-7 PM at Vets Hall on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011.
G. Robinette-small segment of Cambria against the firebreak. Is the Coastal Commission holding up the project? Coastal Commission plans to appeal the project. Issue: Fire Commission vs Coastal Commission. Will Coastal Commission fight every firebreak in coastal area in the future?
Supervisor Gibson- when Coastal Commission says Project requires a permit, they want to influence how the project is undertaken.
Coastal Commission- is a firebreak considered a development or not? The effects of decisions by CC effects many other governmental agencies.
Cal Fire is in support of firebreak project.
Steve Rosenlind- motion made: for NCAC to urge all parties involved to expedite proceedings and move project along.
Vote: unanimous. Motion Passes.
Will Fiscalini Ranch changes need special permits also? Airlin says no.
Jim Bahringer-perhaps cut now and pay fines later?
3. Public Works, 2011 Update North Coast Circulation Study: Ryan Chapman
$24,000 in account. Reprioritize projects.
Venus Arms condo problem-will look into it.
S. Cole-Pine Knolls Drive. Ryan-will build up methodically
Motion to Accept North Coast Circulation Study- motion passes unanimously.
VIII NCAC Reports
1. Business, Traffic and transportation Committee Report: Erwin Ohannesian, Chair
re. Venus Arms Condo Problem-plants are overgrown and responsible for lack of ability to see cars coming down Main Street. Parking in front of driveway hinders clear view.
K. Tanner-potholes on Green Street between Ardath and London.
IX OLD BUSINESS
1. Election By-Laws Revision Report
A.Rice-absent.
2. Energy-wise Proposals by council members
Mary Giacoletti- I urge the NCAC, as I urged the Planning Commission, to require the inclusion of soot/black carbon as a significant local greenhouse gas in the EnergyWise Plan, and adopt strategies to mitigate. Since there is no referenced title or number, this suggestion applies to the document as a whole. Joyce Renshaw-reads letter from a senior citizen in San Simeon re. wood smoke (soot) in the air, specifically Cavalier Inn and Restaurant. Burning does well into the night. Damaging to health and welfare of senior citizens. Mrs. Anderson from San Simeon.
Motion made to accept Mary Giacoletti’s statement explained above.
Vote Taken: 5-in favor(Chair votes in favor)
4 – against
1 abstention
Motion passes.
Debby Mix- 1. Building Energy Scores: The county wants to audit all residential and commercial properties built before 2000 for an energy audit then require that the sellers of such properties meet the new requirements before selling. This will make it impossible for many sellers to sell their property. Depending on the retrofits, this will place an onerous burden on the sellers. This has the potential to stop many property sales in this county adding to the already difficult market. Reference Chaptre 5, page 11. (also retrofit on Water???)
Motion made to have the County reject the above proposal. Vote: 8 in favor( of rejecting the County’s proposal) , 1 against. Motion passes.
2. Renewable Energy Proposal: Add another oversight body to increase local control over programs so that up to 50% of electricity is from renewable sources. It is my understanding that at this time we don’t have the technology to meet this goal. They want to protect areas that contain renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric. This might amount to seizing private property for renewable installation. Chapter 5, page 20.
Motion to have the County reject the Proposal. Vote: 7-in favor, 2 against. Motion passes.
3. Expand retrofit upon sale for water use device. Chapter 5, page 53. Again applying an onerous burden on the seller.
Discussion: Gibson: benign proposal. Only involves toilet, sink faucets and showers.
Motion made to approve above proposal. Vote: 8-in favor, 1 against. Motion passes
4. Amending land use ordinances for small scale renewable overlays. There are no defined areas for any of this.
Discussion: includes Windmills, solar panels, etc.
Motion made to approve above proposal. Vote: 9-in favor. Motion passes
5. Opportunities for terrestrial and aquatic sequestration including but not limited to open lands. Chapter 5, page 69.
Discussion: carbon dioxide isolation instead of greenhouse gas.
Motion to ignore: (?) Vote: 8-in favor. Motion passes
Thank you to Debby Mix for her work.
Erwin Ohannesian: erosion on Santa Rosa Creek Road caused by creek.
The Beautification of Cambria
The following article was written by Consuelo Macedo and appeared in The Cambrian.
Literally “taking the bull by the horns”, resident rancher/historian and President of El Pinal Parlor #163 of Native Daughters of the Golden West, Dawn Dunlap has initiated a concerted effort to clean up and beautify all of Cambria. “There used to be a separation of the original historic Cambria, Cambria Pines by the Sea in “west village”, and Moonstone Beach properties. Now we have all grown together and should be identified as a single Cambria, with a vested interest in showing pride in our community!”
Dunlap broached the topic at the last NCAC meeting Sept.21, where she addressed the need to move forward with the “Community Pride in Cambria” project, and later conferred with Jerry Gruber, manager of the CCSD. The Cambria Historical Society has agreed to partner, with a view to celebrating Cambria’s 150th anniversary of recognition by the federal government with the establishment of the post office on Oct.2, 1867 at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets.
Since the Scarecrow and Harvest Festival is this week-end the logical place to start was at the corner Center and Bridge Street near the current post office, working toward the museum, as well as up Bridge Street and in front of the businesses on Main Street. The CCSD has already power washed the stone trash containers and done some street sweeping, and will address maintenance of the pocket park which replace their previous office site.
On Monday, Oct.3rd , Dunlap, Joyce Renshaw, Linda Finley, Jean Chinnici, Denise Schaupp, Marj Sewell and Consuelo Macedo, ranging in age for 60-80, enlisted Bridget Smith, 39, and two young men in their 20’s to assist them in weeding, raking, pruning and sweeping for the initial two hours on concerted effort to beautify the area. They hope to inspire businesses to join organizations also who have had or will have clean up projects, such as the Historical Society, Rotary Club of Cambria, Cambria 4-H, the Village Pharmacy mural, Blair and Shana McCormick’s ongoing maintenance of Main Street roadside planters, and the Cambria Club’s grooming of the center street medians.
The Native Daughters of the Golden West, established on Sept. 25, 1886 in Jackson, California, recently celebrated their 125th anniversary. Call Dawn Dunlap at 927-1074 for information about membership and Community Pride in Cambria.
Noted by Erwin that ATT denied request to make improvements to the front of their building on Bridge Street in front of Post Office, i.e. useless driveways which inhibit parking. Erwin states that no citizen will be issued a traffic citation for parking in front of the “useless driveways.”
X NEW BUSINESS
Land Use and Project Review Committee: Tom Gray, Committee Chair
Review Report-October 19, 2011
Application for type 42 License for Jeffrey Hentges and Robert Hentges located at 2084 Main Street, Cambria
(not available online)
Summary: The NCAC is being asked for its input “related to the sale of alcohol at this location.” The location is the Redwood Center, which at present does not have a business of this kind. Type 42 license is a Beer and Wine License.
Presentation by Tom Gray includes recommendation by the Committee to approve, in spite of various individual protests by business owners nearby the location.
No hard liquor
Same license as Fermentations, St. Mary Mead, etc.
Building size approximately 600 square feet.
3 people oppose, state their opposition to the license.
Land Use Committee considered the opposition but since project does conform to all standards, including parking, it decided to grant in favor of the license.
Airlin Singwald-the license reflects an allowed use of the property in question.
Wise Owl-needed structural improvements so needed a different type of permit
Comments:
Jeff Hentges-proactive in the community. Belongs to several groups in town. Wants to be part of the community .
Where will you park the buses? Vet’s Hall.(?)
John Lamb-comments
Mark Venten-owner. First introduced to Moonstone Beach by grandmother in 1961.
No food other than snacks for beer and wine tasting. Will be Cambria’s Happy Place.
Leslie Gray, antique store owner-doesn’t want a sports bar.
Bob Kasper-real estate agent for Mark Venten. Project will bring more visitors to town.
Discussion continues…Bob Kocher, local business owner in Redwood Center. Supports the business.
Ralph Covell, states this business is in a bad spot, but wishes him luck on the business.
Motion (Main/Covell) to approve the recommendation by Land Use to approve the License.
Vote: In favor-7 Opposed-1 Abstention-1
Motion Passes
XI Chair’s report/Adjournment of Meeting
Meeting was adjourned by Chair Joyce Renshaw at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary
