Cayucos Citizens Advisory Council              Minutes of  AUGUST 01, 2007   Vets Hall

 

Meeting called to order by President Ed Carnegie 7:00pm                        [approx. 35 in public attendance]

 

Present: Arley Robinson, John Carsel, Carol Baptiste (Alt), Ed Carnegie, MaryAnn Carnegie, Bill Shea (Alt), Harry Wiese, Lynn Schoennauer, , Dirk Langer, Margaret Ambrose-Savage, DeAnne Harland, Marie Jaqua, , Larry Fishman, Frank Otis, Clay Selkirk [alt]

Absent [e] Roland Hutchinson,, Mike Hargett,[e], Greg Bettencourt [e], Chris Pope[ne]

 

Minutes   of 7/11/07 approved; Motion to approve:L. Schoennauer 2nd:L. Fishman; verbal approval

 

Treasurers Report:   beginning  balance as of last month $1,468.99 no report as treasurer absent

 

Announcements & Correspondence:        

  had noticed that the potential park/ride location [3rd/Ocean] already has bench/bus stop therepotentially could reduce parking more; next month to discus more with representative from Public Works Dept. present

  found out that the Request for coastal impact fundswould not be applicable for the downtown enhancement plan

  additional agendas available for review at break; some dates may be announced in committee reports

 

Public Comments:

  Karen Elliott-3rd St./Cayucos: concerned over potential park/ride location; during on-going construction as now there are NO extra parking spotsquestions this spotgrant variances for down town; doesnt support this spot

`Sara Schneider-4th St./Cayucos:  concern for speed and safety to catch public transportation

  Nola, from County Public Works replied to concerns stating Dave Flynn did sent a letter today with some alternative spots mentionedStudio south of Old Creek; Park north of Old Creek, cemetery area

  Bob Bretz-Ocean/Cayucos:  Ocean through town should be reduced to 25MPH seems like a race track; traverses a highly dense residential area; perhaps extend speed limit to 13th; would a petition be necessary to make the change?

  Betsy Watts-Ocean/Cayucos:  traffic seems faster now with the solar speed sign[exact opposite of what was stated last month by public in attendance living on Ocean]

  Bill Shea-Cayucos:  mentioned individuals should call CHP re: speeding problemgive a when/where/for better patrol and also mentioned dislike for potential Park/Ride on 3rd and Ocean.

  Paul Birmingham-Cayucos:  gave update on construction next to own homequestions safety of heavy equip. operating with children nearby; feels it is major not minor grading and will hire professional to investigate and validate its appropriateness.

 

Public Agencies:

County Sheriff/California Hwy./ /Cayucos Sanitary Dist  absent/  question for sheriff would have been re: enforcement of signage on streets; prior to meeting there were motorcycles on the hillsidesfear that the scars on the hills are becoming similar to Riverside; how is double parking at the neighboring restaurant and skate park stopped?

State Parks-Ray Smith-7/4 for their dept was relatively quiet; Aug. 24State Park/Rec. Commission will meet at the Inn in Morro Bay naming the Estero Bluffsadditional park info can be obtained from stateparks.ca.gov website

DeAnne Harland had called the CHP re: vehicles parking on streets  either as abandoned vehicles, or for long term parking using other spots as access spotsi.e. 2774 Studio Dr.

Co. PlanningKerry Brownhad nothing new to report that had not been covered in discussions already; she then introduced Jim Lopes, County/Long Range Planning Div. to discuss proposed amendments for long range planning and to include Smart Growth as item c under Old Business.  Moved and verbally agreed to move agenda item to discuss now.

PRESENTATION:                                           Old Business; Item C-Jim Lopes-County Long Range Planning

Proposed amendments to go before the Planning Commission Aug. 9 and on Sept. 11 to the Board of Supervisors

gave an update on Smart Growth Principles both coastal and inland; less than 10% are in RMF; try to reduce the idea of rural areas becoming more suburbanreduce air/oil/energy usage; make things more within a walkable neighborhood; these principles provide a strategic approach to growth & hopefully improve long-term quality and productivity of the land

went over 11 principlesopen space; improve communities from within ; provide a sense of place; walkable neighborhoods; provide various transportation methods; range of housing choices; encourage mixed land uses; encourage compact building design; have predictable development decisions that are fair and cost effective; incorporate public input early; and strengthen regional cooperation

Questions from the Council and Public were then fielded:

 

Co. Public WorkNola Engelskirger Dave Flynn will be at the Sept. CCAC Mtg. re: park and ride choices; get feedback on the solar speed signsthey were temporary and are to come down in Sept.

Chamber of Commerce-Bill Shea-meets the 3rd Wed. in Sept.

 

Supervisor Gibson:

  Thanked both the council for having Jim Lopes and Jim Lopes for discussing Smart Growthhelps to get people to think in terms of the long view and how things can and do impinge on the quality of lifei.e. mileage for the county was recently monitored to have gone  from 3 to 5 million miles traveled.

  Estero Area Plan is hopefully going before the Coastal Commission in Sept.

  Hardee Park-all information is with the insurance adjuster-however they will be on vacation for the next 2 weeks.  Clean up of the park can proceed; notes between the Fire Dept. and Co. Sheriff have been compared to better define the who, what, when and wheres of the report filed.  County deductible is thought to be $10,000.  Community contributions towards this deductible would not speed up the process, BUT the County would be grateful for any contributions.

  Hillside lots & motorcyclesmight be able to close lot access, but additional details still needs to be reviewed and worked out

  regarding skateboard & parking enforcement issuesemail to Bruce Gibson bgibson@co.slo.ca.us& Cherie Cherie Aispuro <caispuro@co.slo.ca.us> however, knowing agencies resources are very limitedit would be best if more detailed information would be supplied; i.e., when is best time to enforce, exactly where, and if other pertinent information would be available this would be more helpful to provide possible solutions.  Sent to Bruce and Cherie and they will forward to proper agencies to enforce valid concerns.

  Park/Ride location would be determined based on what site is best for health, safety and welfare of the community and would not cause great traffic congestion

  Ministerial permitsconcern expressed over individuals apparent lack of non response received towards concerns expressed.  Proper recognition should be receivedgovernment should be responsive.

  Speed limits are set by state law; 85% rule is applied and enforcement is via the CHP not the Sheriff

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:                                                                                         

Land Use:  will meet Mon. ,8/6 projects under discussion were per attached report Next LUC  9/17/07  3:00PM

Supervisor Gibson updated that the Viewshed Ordinance will be back on the consent agenda 8/21, to then possible go to Planning Commission 8/30 and to bd. Of Sups 9/18; J. Carsel said there have been some substantial changes re: silhouette, ridges etc.

Public Safety:  concerns re: sidewalk ordinance-agenda item under New Business--b.

                                                                                                                                    Break  9:10-9:15PM

Recreational Planning/CSA10A/Community Design::  nothing to report

Utilities; rates will be going up attend the upcoming public meeting all received notice of on recent billing

By-laws-will be getting a draft showing some modifications; copies will be sent to allhard copy or electronically; next meeting 8/20 7:00PMa reading assignment will be given to all for discussion at next months CCAC Mtg.

 

Old Business:

A.      Advisory council priorities were distributed to individually prioritize and return by Sept. 2 to have itemized by next months meeting.  Lists were specifically for Cayucos needs, wants and musts; Class I Issues-county wide/affects everyone; Class II affects to particular communities and Class III-organizational, administrative and internal to council. Confusion regarding the lists was discussed, but  hopefully clarified

B.       County Guidelines for Advisory Councils:  document distributed from County Planning to all councils was discussed for both established and for councils desiring to be formed.  Each would have specific outlines to follow with applicable guidelines;  Motion:  [J. Carsel];  move to accept the guidelines as presented; in general feels fairly comfortable with them currently.  2nd: [M. Jaqua; Carried unanimously].

C.      Item discussed under county agency report aboveJim Lopes Presentation

 

NEW Business:

A.     Parking in the down town core was deferred as committee chair was absent

B.    Sidewalk Ordinance was established in July 2006 to establish conformity, clear access, ADA compliance.  Enforced via Public Works; Sheriff may on weekends.  First time called out to check it out, if chronic violations, a letter will be sent, if still in violation items can be removed.  However, there could be a way to permit.  Five feet is minimum distance from face of building to curb for pedestrian passage.  It was asked if all business are aware of the ordinance??  Most should know of the risks, but perhaps alternatives/compromises should be explained.  CCAC or Chamber should send out a mailing to educate business.  A need to check with Public Works/County Counsel perhaps should be reviewed as to what is/isnt allowable.  Another concern was expressed re: the garbage cans/dumpsters and how often they are emptiedespecially those placed in municipal areaswho maintains, who is liable, etc.?  perhaps Nola will have more answers next month, or public safety committee.  One council member expressed the idea of isnt it practical to have one take their own initiative and do what is most practical to address the situation? Dont always rely on government to do.  Motion:  L. Fishman:  All shop/business owners should be provided a copy of the sidewalk ordinance to make sure they are aware of the document.  2nd: L. Schoennauuer; carried unanimously.  ACTION:  Bill Shea, President of the Chamber will distribute the ordinance to all business owners.

C.    Proposed downtown 3-story business located at 143 Ocean Ave.-Held are the ownersthis project would be the first green built bldg. in downtown Cayucos.  Presented design had several concernsall expressed, but then shown a completely revised faadeinterior design still the same.  Clients thought new design, presented for first time this evening, addressed most of the concernsnow a nautical themeappearing like a ship with portals, stepped back decks; no elevator needed for 2nd story business.  Project was not acted on in that council wanted to have the clients post their project in the newspaper for greater public awarenessalso to post drawings and notice of the project in the store windows for general public to see as they pass by; do they follow current Estero or proposed onenot both for best benefits of each? Then a neighboring business owner questioned the validity of the common wall.  Though not an issue for the CCAC to resolve, the concern was that it should be taken care of with County and property owners concerned prior to further action in that could it possibly alter the design plans based on what is verifiedmainly as to lot size for the overall plans of the structure.  Contact surrounding business of proposed project and allow precinct representative to notify many of their property owners within precincts of the proposed structure.  Three stories vs. 2, parking waiver for 2 vs. 3 stories based on sq. footage and does it conform to surrounding businesses, have a street-scape and model in order to better show the  size of the proposed structure in relation to surrounding structures.  This would be most helpful for communitys better visual understanding of the structure.  No action taken by the council until postingstore, public newspaper[s], verification of lot size/property line, model for public seeing, surrounding business notified.  Once these questions would be answered it was moved [L. Schoennauer] to refer the project back to the Land Use Committee for further committee input.  2nd H. Wiesecarried unanimously.  

Good of the Order:

 

Adjournment:           10:15PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Mary Ann Carnegie                                                                  Date:                                                               

Acting Secretary 

 

Motion to Approve:-                                                               Seconded: