North Coast Advisory Council
NCAC Minutes of Regular Meeting
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Rabobank Community Room
I Call to Order-meeting called to order by Chair Joyce Renshaw at 6:32 PM
II Roll Call
Present: Bob McLaughlin, Gary gall, Marjorie Sewell, Gail Robinette (late), Ralph Covell (late), Sigrid Castaneda, Joyce Renshaw, Tom Gray, Erwin Ohannesian, Mac Van Duzer, Debby Mix, Matt Van Weerden Poelman, Marty Munoz-Main, Laurel Stewart(late), Amanda Rice
Excused: Teri O’Rourke, Clive Finchamp, Dawn Dunlap, Mary Giacoletti, Bambi Fields, Stevan Rosenlind
III Public Comment Period: limited to items not on agenda and 3 minutes per speaker.
none
IV Council Comments-none
V Consent agenda- unanimously in favor
Treasurer’s Balance- $1112.40
VI Public Agency Reports
1. Public Safety-Sheriff absent
2. CCSD-Jim Bahringer, reporting
Welcome to Jerry Gruber. Fiscal review of CCSD ongoing. Joint application to improve field at Middle School.
Next Thursday, meeting of CCSD Thursday, June 23, 2011.
3. Supervisor’s Report-Bruce Gibson
Budget hearings are finished as of June 15th.
Re-funding of Cambria Connection.
Community Health Center-County funding unable to help them maintain services. No indication of needs-no transparency. Their staled proposal to close was negotiable-perhaps a sort of “scare tactic”?
Negotiations underway for fiscal assistance.
A. Rice-pet neutering issue. $30 thousand deficit-other groups may contribute.
John Lamb-State Budget? Revenue extensions proposed by Governor were defeated.
Williamson Act-Supervisor must recuse himself from voting on issue.
E. Ohannesian-Cambria Special tax-goes to CCSD for ambulance service. Is not the reason for funding of Community Health.
4. Planning Department Report-Airlin Singewald
Handout of Planning and Building Major Projects-June 2011
Included projects are:
Vacation Rental Ordinance Update
Upcoming Hearing w. Coastal Commission on July 14. Contact person: John Busselle at 781.5154
Planning Commission heard this item on April 14 and took public comment.
Continued the item to July 14, 2011.
Commissioner Ken Topping suggested a 200 foot radius distance limitation to apply for vacation rentals in Cambria. NCAC has submitted its comments to County.
Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Update
County is in the process of compiling background information (population and buildout projections) and will present this info at a future public workshop. Contact: Mike Wulkan @ 781. 5608.
On Mar. 29, 2011, the BOS directed staff to divide the LUCE project into 2 stages.
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.
the draft LUCE update will be submitted to NCAC for review/comments/recommendations.
Temporary Events Ordinance Update
Amendments would modify existing standards and permit requirements for temporary events (weddings, etc.)
Hearing before Planning Commission on June 30, 2011.
Contact Person is Karen Nall at 781.5606.
Planning Commission heard item on Mar. 31 and continued it to June 9.
Mar. 31 staff report will be available online at www.sloplanning.org
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.
(see below for discussion)
Other development projects/appeals include
Cambria Air Force Station/AT&T Communications Facility (cell site)
PG&E Tree removal Minor Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit DRC2010-00022
Staff is reviewing the proposed tree replacement mitigation plan. Hearing date to be announce. Ryan Hostetter is the contact person @ 788-2351. Cambria Forest committee presented recommendations to NCAC at Feb. meeting.
County staff will review restoration plan for compliance with NCAP tree replacement standards.
Complete Handout available on NCAC website…
VII Old Business
Trolley Service-meeting to be scheduled.
NCAC Training Day at County. Sigrid Castaneda in attendance. positive feedback.
MacVan Duzer-comments on low water table in Paso Area.
Joyce Renshaw-updates of results of 448 square foot planned deck now changed to 364 sq. ft. reduction of deck and screening by tree planting which should cover the deck in 5 years.
VIII Business, Traffic, and Transportation Committee Report-E. Ohannesian, Chair
County person absent at last meeting. Circulation study begins in 2012. The last of 3 phases involves Cambria. Will update the community in future.
S.Cole-concern with a few large slide in area of pine Knolls Drive.
IX Environmental Report-Mary Giacoletti, absent.
IX New Business
Public review Draft-see agenda
Information item: Public Review Draft Amendments to allow for deferral of Public Facilities Fees and road Improvement Fees. There will be public hearings in July. Contact person is John Hofschroer, Supervising Planner,.
X Land Use and Project Review Committee: Tom Gray, Chair
1. Haney Project on Arliss Drive
DRC2010-00064 HANEY MUP
Link to application file: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/referrals/coastal/DRC2010-00064_HANEY/DRC2010-00064_HANEY.pdf
Summary: Applicant seeks Minor Use Permit for an addition to an existing single-family residence, at 1730 Arliss Drive, Cambria – APN 024-252-045. Project would add 844 square feet to residence and a new 144 square-foot carport.
Land Use Committee recommendation: APPROVE with conditions (see below).
Discussion: The proposed project at 1730 Arliss would make various alterations to an existing 1,144 sp. ft. SFR and add a carport, bringing the total gross structural area (living area plus carport) to 2,132 sq. ft. On the whole, the project would clearly be an improvement for an older building and an enhancement of the neighborhood. Because the project is in the Visible Hillside Special Project Area, the normal maximum allowable GSA for a parcel of this size (5,250 sq. ft.) is 1,900 sq. ft. The lot applicants will need to acquire 232 sq. ft. in transfer of development credits (TDCs) to carry out this project. Also, the North Coast Area Plan requires that TDCs for projects in the Visible Hillside SPA be acquired from the same SPA. The North Coast Area Plan also states, “All development within the viewshed of Highway One shall be constructed of natural-appearing materials, using earthen or forest-toned colors. Reflective materials shall be minimized. The natural appearance of buildings, fences, and other development shall be maintained through the life of the structure. “ We recommend approval of this MUP application provided that these requirements of the North Coast Area Plan are met.
Haney Project on Arliss Drive. Motion to approve passes unanimously.
2. Residential Accessory Uses
LRP2010-00012 Residential Accessory Uses
Link to proposed ordinance revision: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/referrals/LRP2010-000012_RES_ACCESSORY_USES/LRP2010-00012.pdf
Summary: The Planning Department proposes changes to the Residential Accessory Uses Section in both Title 22 and Title 23. The proposed changes update the Ordinance to reflect current trends in residential accessory uses and simplify the accessory structure section.
Land Use Committee recommendation: APPROVE
Discussion: The proposed revisions would primarily clarify standards for accessory structures used for non-commercial hobbies, artistic endeavors, maintenance of vehicles owned by residents, and similar purposes. It also sets standards for pool houses, outdoor kitchens and home occupation commercial kitchens. Maximum guest house size would also be set at 600 square feet rather than 40% of main residence size.
Short discussion: Supervisor Gibson: guest house has no kitchen facilities.
Cowell-how does this apply to rural /ag lands?
Airlin: would effect rural but not ag lands.
Motion made to approve as stated. Motion vote: Yes 7, No 1, Abstentions: 3
Motion approved.
A. Rice: neighbor has storage shed outside of home and may be starting to enclose the structure?
3. LRP2010-00013 Small Wind Energy Facilities
Link to proposed ordinance revision: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/referrals/LRP2010-00013_WIND_ENERGY/LRP2010-00013_WIND_ENERGY.pdf
Summary: The Planning Department proposes to add a new section to both Title 22 and Title 23 for Small Wind Energy Systems. The proposed changes update the Ordinance to reflect current state law (Government Code Section 65893 et Seq.) and to encourage and increase renewable energy use county-wide.
Land Use Committee recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION
Discussion: LUC members were unable to reach consensus on an overall recommendation regarding the draft proposed ordinance revision, but a majority of members had a number of concerns, including:
The county does not appear to have the authorization under the state law it cites to draft an ordinance for Small Wind Energy Facilities in urbanized areas (a category that includes Cambria).
There is no minimum size for a parcel on which a turbine could be installed.
The proposed revision makes no distinction between land use designations – i.e., commercial, residential, industrial or agricultural. Single-family residential zones are treated the same as others.
Wind facilities would be permitted on a zoning-clearance basis, so neighboring property owners would have little chance for input.
The noise rule offered by the revision has been shown to be inadequate as an enforcement tool – e.g. for vacation rentals.
The above ordinance is being drafted to encourage small scale wind energy on site.
Concerns: noise, visual eyesore-see above.
Covell-expresses negative issues with wind systems.
John Lamb-wind energy systems organizations recommend setback of 30 feet on a parcel of 1 acre, plus others point to high maintenance. Thinks not a good idea for residential areas of Cambria.
M.Van W P: a form of “selling energy”?
Airlin-height of towers. Roof mounted systems expected because of height limitations.
Erwin O. –will the tower be constructed to resemble a pine tree? (?)
S. Cole-discussion: top of blade determines height limit.
T. Gray- will apply favorably to some large lots in Cambria.
S. Cole-signs on tower, guide wires may lower cost,
J. Lamb-state statues set limit of 100 feet.
Should also blend into existing environment.
$700=800 to repaint. Also, freight charges super high.
S. Cole-in favor of wind energy. Roof mounted units can cause damage to buildings.
Enforcement of rules regarding wind systems is unenforceable.
Bird Safety issue.
Supervisor Gibson-local roof mounted units can be found locally at Lemos Pet Supply in Morro bay. Also on Estero near Golf Course in MB a house with several wind units on it.
Coastal Commission would have to pass all recommendations.
G. Gall-trees in Cambria pose unique situation.
April through July =Cambria’s wind season. Also in October.
R. Covell-if enough wind to generate power, then watch out for damage to roof.
Motion to continue discussion and disapprove wind units on parcels less than 1 acre.
Vote: Yes 6, No 1, Abstentions 4.
Motion is passed.
R. Covell-thanks to Tom Gray for all his meticulous efforts on behalf of all Cambrians.
XI Chair’s Report- Joyce Renshaw
E. Ohannesian- is 46 a scenic road?
No. Issue of construction /visual eyesore at new winery on H 46.
Airlin will refer matter to appropriate people.
Supervisor Gibson- wineries have their own rules and permit requirements.
XII Meeting Adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary
