North Coast Advisory Council (NCAC)
Minutes of Regular Meeting: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Mid-State Bank Community Room
1070 Main Street
I Call to Order by Chair John Lamb at 7:08 PM
II Roll Call
Present:
Karina Tiwana, Amanda Rice, Muril Clift, Craig Smith, John Lamb, Jerry Levitz, Harold Light, Carol Broadhurst, RollieYounger, Bert Olmos, Noel Schmidt
Munoz-Main, late, Jesse Arnold, David Odell
Excused: Keith Hinrichsen, Cecelia Merrill, Marjorie Ott, Bob McLaughlin, Mike Thompson
III Review of Agenda
Training of members at County Mtg. on April 14-sign-up sheet passed around.
Carpooling advised.
Muril Clift introduces JoAnna Hamburg, alternate for Area 4
Chief Putney added to agenda.
Motion to approve paying for website. Approved as amended. Unanimously approved.
Agenda approved with additions by John Lamb and Rollie Younger
IV Approval of Minutes of last meeting: February 21, 2007
V Review and Approval of Agenda
Proposed Additions: report by special committee on byway corridor plan
Outreach committee-supplemental report
Authorize Chair to testify before the Coastal Commission in support of the Cambria/San Simeon Acres Community Plan
VI Public Comment Period-limited to items not on the agenda
JoAnna: requests new members for Grand Jury-a year commitment.
Rollie Younger- lighting on Main Street-has issues with the project.
Prop. 218-vote to maintain new lights on Main Street
Dave Flynn: Jim Lopes is doing work. CCSD has committed to maintenance of lights for 1-3years. Measure 218 would be required to further maintain lights.
Rollie Younger-says public must then pay for lights.
Jesse Arnold-great fire of 1989, fire fought w/buckets by brave residents. Squibb House was saved; has lived here for 40 years. There has never been a forest fire. Jesse feels very safe here and hopes most people will also feel safe. Fire Chief Putney has put forth a measure to increase the clearing space around homes. Meeting on March 22.
Rollie asks Fire Chief
“ Are no islands better than islands?”
Chief Putney answers “yes”.
Putney- the measure is to bring us up to current state laws.
Dave Flynn responds to questions from Lauren Younger re. purpose of measure 218, which will be used to maintain lights in the future.
CCSD signed off on the payment for lights’ maintenance and therefore measure would ensure the funds needed to continue maintenance.
Another resident (Anne?) feels public has been left out of process re. light installation on Main Street
Dianne Brooks, another resident, works and is unable to attend meetings.
Whity Harley: If county goes ahead with lighting, there will be a public outcry of persons not wishing to have lights.
Mrs. Kathy Smith: there have been many public meetings. Now involved in NCAC because several years ago, she was interested in Main Street Lighting.
Craig Smith-vote was taken and the final vote was to go ahead with the lighting.
James Harley, Lodge Hill, to D. Flynn, per Tammy Ruddock: no funds to pay for lighting and maintenance. Assessment districts failed to pay for previous lighting district. A vote will fail, then public will have to pay.
VII Sheriff’s Report-Todd Steeb
More lighting will improve crime control. Supports more lights on Main Street. Proven facts: case studies prove that lights prevent burglaries. Todd has walked town from 11 PM to 4 AM. Crime trends are down.
Paint Ball incidents in Morro Bay, group of youths hitting pedestrians.
Dave Melendy-successful barbecue on his behalf. Victim of a motorcycle accident. Thanks the town for a greet turnout for him. Another BBQ on Saturday, March 31: 1-5 PM
VIII Supervisor’s Report- Bruce Gibson
10 lots from CCSD
4 lots may be restored for open space.
NCAC-has no authority to approve any issue. Only advisory position.
Is available from 4-5 PM before each NCAC meeting.
VIII Presentation: Dean Benedix, Public Works Department, Cambria Flood Control Project Update
$120,000.00 for redesign for Caltrans approval.
See memo.
Project includes 1. South of Cambria Drive, a BRIDGE, over Santa Rosa Creek. There is a ditch under freeway so water will return to creek.
Includes signal and bikepath connection to Main Street.
2. Storm Drain down Sheffield Street.
3. Pump Station, near the kayak shop on west Main. To pump water from Main Street to Santa Rosa Creek.
Original cost was $2.9 million. Now costs have risen to $4.3 million
November of 07 – start construction after putting project out for bid.
Craig Smith: no structure where pump house will be located.
Muril Clift: roundabout on Cambria Drive? Not in the planning.
John Lamb: will entire street Sheffield be involved? Access to the neighborhood will be planned.
Residents of Sheffield have expressed concern about the channel.
No closing of Highway One, detour and temporary slowdown.
No walking path under bridge, as previously discussed.
Sylvia Hanna-signal on Cambria Drive.
Rep. from PROS-concern about new bridge.
Resident of San Simeon-needs speed limit or perhaps a light. David Flynn will discuss matter with them.
Karina Tiwana- encourages audience members to come to Traffic Committee meeting. Is an issue for San Simeon.
Jerry Levitz-questions the Schedule and the “unreal” date for completion.
Dean still optimistic on completion date.
Jeff Miller- concern about all the road closures simultaneously while project is being constructed.
Safety issue—
In case of flooding the new bridge will alleviate water problem.
Emergency vehicles could still get through. Good issue for further discussion at time of work.
IX Traffic committee Report-Jerry Levitz
First Monday of March- committee met. Topic: islands.
Dave Flynn and Fire Chief Putney.
The Traffic Committee voted to leave the islands intact.
Also, signage around town will be worked on.
Noel Schmidt: 36 signs on 1.8 miles (not all signs were counted.)
Issue: 2 public parking areas on East and West Village. Waiting before deciding on some time of restrictions. For purpose of signage.
David Flynn: no restrictions in the East Village at this time.
Steeb: Parking lot on Sheffield; tickets being written for overnight parking, residents’ complaints
____
John Lamb: last meeting we learned that the area near islands were too narrow to have a fire truck pass a large vehicle and navigate around. Also , the asphalt piled against the concrete doesn’t look attractive.
Flynn: Presents Main Street in Detail.
Passes out Main Street Enhancement Chronology , which shows the approval of the Main Street Enhancement Project, including all the Main Street changes.
Asphalt was put there to accommodate the emergency vehicles and will change color to blend a bit more.
Fire Chief Putney: Lamb: are the islands safe?
Worst Area for Navigation: Westbound on Main Street east of Tamson Drive with a medium sized car or a delivery van, then is very tight.and going into the oncoming lane is the alternative.
The other side is probably OK.
Going onto oncoming lanes is acceptable for this one point of town.
Chief Putney can make it work.
Landscaping is low and not a problem.
Jerry Levitz-suggests signage for alleviation of problem.
Kathy Smith: If closures happen, will that present a problem?
Is concerned about a little tree, which will be repotted on the Ranch.
Rollie Younger-Is there a danger of cars running into the islands and bulbout.
David Flynn: not a great amount of collision in the history of SLO.
Medians reduce speed on the roads.
Concern about the no-parking zone created by the existence of medians.
Flynn: all the businesses have on-site parking.
Resident; concern for no respect of community input.
We are going ahead with a project that is not satisfactory.
Flynn: County was faithful to the wishes of the community.
Gibson: states that Bianchi has told him that many meetings were held to discuss the Main Street changes.
One reason for the Enhancement was to calm traffic. He shows the study on a flyer.
A lot of time spent on this project.
Craig Smith: Project had been approved well before his involvement on NCAC. The modified plan was accepted after working with previous boards.
The present plan is a compromise.
Putney: there is a safety issue whenever there is anything in the middle of the road.
Going in the oncoming lane will probably be standard when passing another large vehicle.
A fire in the Cookie Crock would require a laddered truck.
66 thousand pounds for a laddered truck –cannot mount a curb without damage to truck
Rollie asks Fire Chief
“ Are no islands better than islands?”
Chief Putney answers “yes”.
.The present design does meet the County standards, however.
Putney: meets acceptable safety standards.
Steeb: Driving onto oncoming lanes is part of training and can be worked with.
____
Kathy Smith: Size of speed sign near the area in question.
Flynn: sign will be permanent
Steeb: speed a problem on Main Street.
Flynn will work with traffic committee and not proceed to put “driver feedback “ signs for the moment.
Rollie Younger: County has tunnel vision. All members of audience need to be heard.
X Corresponding Secretary’s Report-Carol Broadhurst
Letters sent out.
Invitation to Flynn and Putney.
Dear Cambrian letter.
Land Use Letter from last month.
XI Treasurer’s Report-Amanda Rice
3 ads re. election.
$543.
Web Maintenance: $150.
$616.59 balance
XII Election committee Report-Muril Clift and Amanda Rice
Muril:
Area One: Robert McLaughlin and Lorraine
Area Three: Jerry Levitz
Area five: Ann
Area Seven: Jeffrey Miller and Craig Smith
Only 2 Areas need to be in the Election.
Suggest the alternative-rep be decided by consensus without an election.
Jeffrey Miller agrees to become alternative to Craig Smith.
April 14-newmember training.
Motion to approve Election.meeting to meet and discuss election alternative. Unanimous.
XIII Project/Land Use Committee Report-Craig Smith
Committee: Steve Cole, Karina Tiwana, Muril Clift
1A. DRC 2006-00139 Drill up to 4 water test wells within the coastal access Zone (CAZ) on a 403 acre site located off Harmony Valley Road. An existing farmhouse will be converted into farm support quarters. APN: 013-201-048
1B DRC2006-00140 Remodel an existing 1408 sz ft Single Family residence (SFR) and a 487 sq ft garage located at 201 Cambridge Street to 2347 sq ft SFR with a 508 sq ft garage. APN: 022-223-003.
1C DRC2006-00143 Add a bedroom and library/study to an eisting SFR at 2668 trenton Drive. APN: 023-261-011
1D DRC2006-00 construct a new 1818 sq ft. SFR with a 264 garage, located off Londonderry Lane. APN:024-191-060
Carol Broadhurst: MOTION” 1a thru 1d Motion to approve 1A through 1D: unanimous.
Additional Projects under consideration:
Project: DRC2006-00145: Construct a new 2-story, 3757 sq.ft SFR with a 1000 sq ft garage and a 600 sq ft Guest House with a 668 sq ft garage on a 5 acres parcel located off Cambria Pines Road. APN: 013-085-004. Recommendation: Approve with concern about water to be used by the swimming pool in addition to the 10-foot diameter hot tub. These items are shown on the design plans submitted with the referral.
Bruce Gibson: this project involves minor impacts. Not commercial on Main Street.
Motion to approve the recommendation: Muril/Main
Rollie Younger opposed: Motion Passes
XIV Sylvia Hanna, Avocate for Quiet
Also, Sylvia Hanna from the Advocates for quiet presented the proposed revision to Title 23 of the County Code)Noise Ordinance) to the Land Use/Projects Review committee. The Committee’s comments were incorporated and the proposed ordinance will be presented to the Council on March 21, 2007 for further action.
Sylvia Hanna has monitored the noise levels, which appear to be elevated. Needs modification of existing ordinances.
Has worked with Land Use Committee. Directs her presentation to Craig Smith.
The plan will be on the NCAC web if approved.
Based on current SLO Noise Ordinances
Some leafblowers produce noise over and above an acceptable levels.
Electric blowers are less dangerous than gas blowers.
Change hours of operation of leafblowers.
And No Construction before 7 AM.and after 5 PM.
Many cities have already outlawed leafblowers. Some cities have restrictions on their use.
Hanna: if there is an ordinance, let us enforce them. Why not buy the meter required?
Muril Clift: restrictions are too strict. Sunday is a working day for most and working people need to work after they come home from work.
Wording: dinnertime is different for every person.
Rollie: Why restrict a neighbor from working on his “deck” or doing construction on a Sunday or holiday?
Proposed Ordinance will go on website for member review.
Gibson: If a proposal comes forward , documentation needs to be included in the proposal.
Nuisance Noise – code enforcement is stretched very thin.
The county would be very careful in changing present code ordinances.
Next month: continue with
XV Chair’s Report: John Lamb
April 14, training. Let John Lamb know if you plan to attend.
Chair’s Report: November meeting to the second Wednesday.
Community Plan- at Coastal Commission Motion for John Lamb to attend
XVI Adjournment
10:25 adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marty Munoz-Main, Recording Secretary
(notes for I through VII from Carol Broadhurst)
