Minutes of July 11, 2005 Meeting
Revised with Corrections 08-01-05
Call to Order
B. Pusanik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members
Present: B. Pusanik, K. Argano, J. Salisbury, A. Brown, J. Scott, J. Taylor,
K. Bittner, S. Gooding, D. Palaia, L. Walter, T. Ivarie, B. Tickell, J. Schug, L. Newton
Members
Absent, N. Matlin, M. Gooden, J. Biesek
Approval
of minutes: Motion
by Lynn Walter to approve minutes of June 13, 2005, motion seconded and passed
with two corrections.
1.0 TREASURER’S REPORT L. Newton
Lisa not present at time of this
report, no report
2.0
COUNTY REPORTS
2.1Sheriff’s
Department Deputy
Scott
4th
of July weekend was lighter than expected, only one drunken arrest. They were
mostly focused on Cayucos, Avila quiet without fireworks display. VM/message phone 788-6611 with any questions
for increased communications between Avila community. Deputy Scott now on graveyards, increased traffic on Port san
Luis beach, still looking to cut down on alcohol use and monitor trash and what
they are burning in the fire pits.
2.2
2.2 County
Supervisor, District 3 Jerry
Lenthall
Jerry
is on vacation, Mary is filling in.
Sheriff’s dept has started the bike patrol and were present at Farmer’s
Mkt on Friday night, extra patrols on Sat & Sun by the CHP. This Sat Jerry will be at the Avila
community center. Audience asked about
an incident in the Bob Jones Trail pking lot, Deputy Scott will do some extra
patrol in that area.
2.3 2.3
County
Planning Staff Ryan Hostetter
No
new permit applications, fairly quiet. On 7/1 the Avila beach subcommittee had
a meeting, James attending to talk about parking issues. There will be a tenant leasing the grocery
store to open a deli. There were questions about roofing materials for the
Martin hotel and the grocery store.
Email James with any specific questions about his projects, Lynn
requested that James email us and cc Tom for clarification on height issue on
Martin Hotel project. May be height
exception due to elevator shaft mechanics.
3.0
3.0 OLD
BUSINESS
3.1
3.1 Code Enforcement- Avila Oaks/Art Trinidade
Avila
Oaks project; initially called in to look at a large oak tree that had been
taken down. This was a condition with
the developer that this tree was required for screening of the project, really
significant oak tree. Wes Connor was
the arborist on the project, and was hired to develop a landscape plan. Hard to tell what the shape of the tree was
above the stump line…which was all that was left when Art arrived. When they developed the parking lot, the
excavation cut out a big chunk of the root system, in the rainy season, another
oak tree fell over and this one, the root ball was “heaving” and therefore made
this tree in danger of falling, a safety issue. The developer has been fined.
Art is part of the Cambria forest committee which uses the best science
available to deal with the tree issues up there and determines what is
hazardous regarding a tree for removal.
To mitigate for this, he has planted many native oaks and many other trees
including elderberry and toyon, which will grow to provide understory coverage
and the oak trees with provide the overstory.
The best viability is really from acorns and local seed, the box trees
don’t do as well and they are very slow growing, 2-6 feet per year. They wrote a contract with the property
owner and the landscaper to take care of the trees for at least three
years. They are on drip irrigation and
they are being fertilized to facilitate growth. We will end up with about 30 new trees, and he believes it will
be a better landscape project than they had in the past. Sherry mentioned that she was interested in
prevention for future mistakes like this…could a more pervious surface been
used instead of asphalt? Bob Martin
commented that the oak tree fell down because of the drainage…the tree did not
die. The other tree that was cut down later, there was no indication that there
was anything wrong with it. Should have
never been cut, no screening, too much taken off. Bob suggested they replace that tree with a similar tree. He feels that they should put in a big
tree.15 gallon is too small. That area
is covered by the specific plan which states that the canopy is supposed to be
preserved so that other people won’t try to do this again. They were fined $500
for not getting an inspection before they cut it down, which is the maximum
fine they are able to assign. Karla
commented that AVAC did not get to review this project unfortunately and
brought to light that there is an affordable housing project which will be
built in a heavily wooded area. There
may be asphalt on top of drip lines in that project. There are trees in distress in the San Luis Bay Estates area and
the county is having some entomologists look at these, lots of woodpecker holes
and some where the bark is actually black and starting to rot. Rich Little, the county entomologist is
going to take some samples and send them for testing. This stress can be from development or moisture, probably 200
year old oak trees. Oak trees in CA are
under a lot of stress, mainly because of size. Oak trees in Heron Crest:
there were trees that were poisoned and killed. Large investigation of that which involved
the DA and they couldn’t get enough evidence to get a conviction. All of the violations were on open space,
not private property. These land use
violations don’t go with the people, they go with the land. There will be a tremendous amount of
mitigation for someone to develop that lot.
Another complaint that someone was stressing an oak tree, it was
actually as a result of the paving over of the oak tree roots and incorrect
drainage of water. There was a property
that they looked at and prosecuted, trees were taken down to improve his view
and the DA is working on this and this individual will be heavily
penalized. Hard to enforce in
agricultural areas vs. rural areas. Oak
trees are well protected within urban reserve lines currently. We need to hold the developer to task. Bob asks the council if we want to pursue an
amendment to the last meeting, to the planning dept potentially for an oak tree
ordinance in the coastal zone specifically.
Art suggested that we gear this to hardwoods, not just oak trees, native
hardwoods specifically. Lynn makes a
motion to amend our letter to Jerry Lenthall to focus on coastal native
hardwoods, Karla seconded the motion.
3.2 Friday Night Clean-up Avila
Beach/John Salisbury
John
is following up from last week. Customs
House will have personnel monitor and watch the trash from the market all night
on Friday’s during the market and will network with the business association
for more support. Jerry Lenthall volunteered a pressure washer. Per Julie, they are paying an individual to
clean up during the event and continuously clean up trash. There is a contracted service every 6 weeks
to do a major cleanup now and we would like to have that more regularly. Teri was going to contact anyone in Avila
Beach that offered cleanup services.
Parks and Rec have donated trash liners and gloves for the helper on
Friday night. John is going to ask
Parks & Rec to look into the benches in front of Custom House. Anne
complimented Julie for her efforts to help with clean-up; it is much improved
since the issue was brought up. Lisa
commented that the beach has been really trashed lately, this morning there was
a lot of trash, especially during the summertime. Bob commented about a grease spot from the BBQ, Julie and John
will look into this.
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Re-licensing of Diablo
Canyon Nuclear Power Plant/Jane Swanson
Alliance
for Nuclear Responsibility, Jane is requesting as a resident of Squire Canyon
and a member of the Alliance and is asking AVAC to consider adopting her
submitted resolution or incorporating parts of it into a letter to be sent to
the County Board of Supervisors.
See
Resolution in email, cut and paste.
Jane
brought a few letters from neighbors, specialists who supported her quest to
stop the dry cask storage at Diablo. Karla recapped what AVAC had done in the
past and how much time and energy was spent on this research. Ted commented that safety is always the
primary concern. Discussion went through the panel about various opinions both
personal and about whether or not AVAC is the appropriate party to the venue
for this. Anne proposed a letter to express that we are very concerned about
the reliscensing and the dry cask storage, and will follow this issue
closely. Plant is licensed until
2025. Jane spoke and her resolution is
really about not issuing re-licensing…which would mean another 20 years of
production. Missy Hobson from PG&E
was in the audience and said that have not applied for relicensing yet, they
have to do a feasilibility study that would take a couple of years. Celebrating 20 years of safety. She felt that this is premature at this
time. Motion on the table to this
discussion for now by Karla, seconded by Lynn.
Voted, ayes won, 7 to 5.
5.0 5.0
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE/COMMUNICATIONS
Communications & AVAC
Calendar
Karla
recommended we purchase a copy of the Avila book for our archives.
Temporary
events: memo from John Euphrat that
this has been “grandfathered”. Sherry stated that the letter didn’t make sense
to her, she asked Ryan for clarification.
Until new ordinance is in effect, these existing events will go on as in
the past. They are working on drafting
this new ordinance and Sherry Gooding is our representative on this ad hoc
committee with the county. Bob is
asking for a clarification from Bob Euphrat and there is a ten day period to
appeal this process.
Donna
from the Avila Beach Resort commented about the ordinance and felt that the
events they were talking about were for events over 3000, for non-profit events
there is no permits required. There is
a criterion for non-profit events. All
the rules are still followed when non profit events are put on.
6.0 STANDING & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
land use committee: use for pool is for inn guests only, concern
about loud noise decibel level for residents, recommendations that came out of
that committee meeting: Pool approval for lot connected to Avila Valley Inn.
6.1 Avila Beach Committee (Lisa Newton/John
Salisbury) subcommittee met on 7/1, two
more important items, oaks and grocery store, has new tenant, applied to make
this into a condominium with grocery store on bottom. The roof that he wants to put on this property, it’s a corrugated
roof, historian involved said that is what he should put on the property, the
Avila beach specific plan states that you can’t have a roof that is reflective,
conflict with the plan and the committee asks that they change the roof.
Matakavich
project: The architect was there, one
lot with three units, large oak tree that they want to conserve, space issues,
setbacks were discussed. Architect is
going to try and do a 10ft setback.
Lisa motions, Anne seconded recommendations of subcommittee. Martin hotel project also had reflective
roof material, the county is going to contact them, per Ryan letters have been
sent to both parties. John Hand was
present at the subcommittee meeting to speak about Avila’s ongoing parking
issues and there was no resolution from that meeting.
6.2 Avila Valley Committee (Jan Taylor)
no report
6.3 San Luis Bay Estates (Sheri
Gooding) no report
6.4 See Canyon (Bill
Tickell) no report
6.5 Squire Canyon (Karin Argano) no report
6.6 Traffic Circulation
(Jan Taylor/Sherri Gooding) no
report
6.7
6.7 Community
Liaisons
Port
San Luis (Karla Bittner) no report
Flood Zone 9 – no report
6.8
6.8 Diablo
Report (Dusty Palaia) no report
7.0 7.0
PUBLIC COMMENT
Book
signing at the Avila Beach Community Beach Foundation, 5:00pm 19th
july at schoolhouse, next Tuesday.
No
meeting next August
8.0 8.0
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting
was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Karin
Argano, Secretary
Minutes of September 12, 2005 Meeting
revised with corrections on 10-10-05
Call to Order
B. Pusanik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: B. Pusanik, L. Newton, K.
Argano, J. Salisbury, A. Brown, K. Bittner, S. Gooding, D. Palaia, L.
Walter, M. Gooden, B. Tickell,J.Schug
Members Absent: Jan Taylor, Ted Ivarie, Nisan Matlin, Jack Biesak
Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes of July 11, 2005 meeting passed and
approved pending any corrections after everyone has
had a chance to review them.
1.0 TREASURER’S REPORT L. Newton
$985.50
is the balance is the checking account.
Chair accepts report
2.0 COUNTY REPORTS
2.1Sheriff’s Department
Deputy
No
representative tonight
2.2 County Supervisor, District 3
Jerry Lenthall
As
of last week, sheriff’s dept changed command.
There were two high speed chases on Ontario Road. Public works will be replacing the guard
rail very soon. Jerry said that he will add monitoring devices to check speed
in the problem area.Two weeks ago a $320,000 check came to the county from Lois
Capps for the Bob Jones Bike Trail.
Jerry vowed to finish that trail in the next few years before his term
is over. He met with Sheriff Hedges, they are going to load up a 15 man van
from the prison, going to do some community projects with inmate labor, going
to help with coastal cleanup along with graffiti cleanup, trimming, weed
abatement. Project list from AVAC? Getting a pressure washer for F&F’s mkt,
Jerry giving $1000 towards this as promised.
Going to be managed by Customs House for cleanup after Friday
night. Public works got our thank you
letter from AVAC. Jerry asking about
the 12 minute parking places in front of the Front Street merchants. Bob suggested that the Avila Beach Business
Assoc should give us their opinions, come forward to us with a
recommendation. Who is going to police
these? What are the consequences of
parking there longer? Give Jerry a
recommendation after something comes from the Avila Biz Assoc. Wild Cherry Canyon culvert will be repaired,
had a flooding problem there. Liability
issue for advisory council members: met with county council, we are covered for
liability except for fraud or malice.
2.3
County Planning Staff Ryan Hostetter
James
Caruso sent an email with an update on some of his projects: Steam generator replacement project; PUC
will certify the EIR, James has it on CD, the final EIR is out. Planning commission on 1-12-06. Martin Hotels; working with developer on the
roof materials, county planning staff and the owners/developers are disagreeing
on the reflective nature of the roof material, James sent a letter, probably be
an appeal or a hearing. Oceans 17 is
going to break ground, building permits have been issued. Email James or Ryan with any questions. New projects: Cerro de Avila, agents here tonight to discuss the project with
AVAC, email Ryan with any questions.
3.0 OLD BUSINESS
3.1 Avila Beach Clean-up/Terry
Eberhardt-Parks
Many
issues in the promenade and plaza area; more usage of Avila again from tourists
and locals. More litter, cleanup, all
the parties are working together to minimize the trash, Customs House, Avila
Biz Assoc, Parks has been putting forth a really good effort to keep the Front
St area clean; doubling the size of the bins so the trash isn’t flowing
over. Harbor is also trying to keep the
beach clean, please let them know if you see things. Terry Brown, Betty Woody and Tom Guernsy and Anne Brown,
citizens, community volunteers have been really diligent, on their own to clean
up. Ernie from the parks dept
superintendent said thank you to all the volunteers, trying to solve the
problems county wide, the county has given them some money, but weren’t able to
get the seasonal staff that they normally get, look forward to be able to staff
up again eventually. Originally though
it would only take 1 ½ full time people to take care of the park, doesn’t take
care of wages or equip. Thank goodness
for volunteers, over 53K hours of support county wide…that’s a lot of effort,
but not enough. Large amount of people
visiting, impact of all these people visiting is amazing, the park is taking a
beating, looks much older than it actually is. Still trying to sort out who is
responsible for everything. Next
meeting Oct 13th, trying to work with community in a collaborative
way to solve a lot of these problems.
ublic works said to call them to clean the streets; it has been requested that they clean
them at least once per week. Anne noticed that one of the toilet stalls
has had an out of order sign for over a week, when will it be fixed? Public works is ordering parts for it. Anne wants to thank the Avila Foundation for
helping with money towards flowers and given to Parks also. (Ernest Del Rio/Parks
Superintendent-Operations
805-781-5930
ederlrio@co.slo.ca.us)
3.2 Request by Salisbury
Vineyards/Email vote
Since
we did not have an August session of the AVAC, we had an email vote of this
issue, everyone voted except for Bill.
Request for a Type 42 license.
AVAC sent recommendation to Planning Dept. John thanks the council for helping out on that.
3.3. Avila Beach, 5K walk/run/ Jennifer Rubio
Jennifer
is not here tonight. This event has
been held two years in a row, for the Chris J. Memorial Society to benefit
local children with disabilities. AVAC
needs to make a recommendation to Parks and Harbor to approve this event. October 2nd Sunday, Motion made
by Sherry, approved by Lisa. Unanimous
vote to approve. AVAC will send letter
to support this to appropriate agency.
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Cerro de Avila
Project/Shear Edge Development
Jeff
Edwards and Michael Hodge. Working on
this project for over a year, located at San Luis St and San Antonio. Currently owned by SL School District, they
have a 99 year lease with them. .66
acres, proposing 14 units, land use is Res/Mult Family. 13 will be 2 bedroom, 1 one bedroom. 3 are affordable per the county’s
guidelines, remaining 11 will be market rate.
Using Spanish colonial revival architectural style, passed out plans to
review and a CD of the artist’s renderings.
Met with Avila Beach subcommittee, parking setbacks and height, fully
compliant with Avila Beach Specific Plan so far. Have refined the design of a wall that the committee objected to
and updated the plan, distributed a rendering to board. Relocating the original bldg (old
schoolhouse) has been shown to be cost prohibitive. Karla asked about the trash containers, so that residents higher
up did not see into these open trash bins.
Lynn asked about the historical ruling. Per Ethan Ottrando, in the state
of CA there are a set of 4 criteria to rate the historical value. Conducted the study of the bldg, it did not
meet the criteria: Significant role in
the history of Avila, but not statewide, people important on a local level, but
not at the state level. Many
modifications to the bldg, doesn’t retain enough of the original
architecture. How is the study
evaluated? Ethan and Betty Ottrando
actually did the study. Was documented
fully and submitted. Per Ethan went
above and beyond the requirements of the study. Karla mentioned that this is one of the first projects to take
advantage of a new fast track affordable housing project. Karla questioned the setback situation. Ryan: units a bit bigger than would normally
be allowed, meeting open area requirements, parking spaces are compact. Went to the school board meeting last month
and all of a sudden there is information about these units being used as
vacation rentals. John asked about the
fact that they were originally being built for teacher’s housing and now that
isn’t the same especially since our community school is a Charter School, Dana
Lilley in Ryan’s dept handles all the affordable housing questions in our
area. Anne asked if the units will be
sold? Leasehold interest only in the
property, per their agreement with SL Coastal.
8 units will be retained by Shear Edge, no clear answer from Jeff on
what they are going to do with the units, talking about vacation rentals. The rest of the units will be long term
leases. CC&R’s will be written for the entire projects. The subcommittee didn’t know about this.
Sub-committee
findings per Lisa on the meeting 8-8-05. 1st project to fast-track
in the county because of their affordable housing. Committee’s concern:
visually bulky, prefer spacing between bldgs. Retaining wall concerns:
landscaping. Parking
spaces: concerns. Bike racks, trash enclosure, would like to
see trash bins covered so that they would not see those bins from above. Old School House: community would like to retain the bldg on the property, contrary
to the study done. John Salisbury said
the bldg could be moved, even though it would be expensive, it could be
done. Several committee members are
seeking a resolution. Ryan will incorporate the study on the school house into
her report. Conditions were wall,
parking spaces, trash bins, bike racks.
Open it up to council and community members about the vacation rental
issue. Per John the vacation rental
issue wasn’t brought up at the subcommittee meeting. Anne feels that the rentals shouldn’t be allowed for less than a
month, similar to the ordinance for Cambria and Cayucos which has been in place
for the last two years. Bob asked about
getting this project fast-tracked and some exemptions because the property
supposed to be for affordable housing, when in fact this isn’t affordable
housing…how does that work? Per Ryan:
they were under the assumption that these were going to be using this
project as completely all housing units, the question of vacation rentals in
the project was a surprise to county.
Staff discussed it, they were looking it as a multi-family project, the
recommendation is going to be from county that these units are not going to be
used as a less than 30 day rental unit.
November 10th is going to be a meeting of the Planning
Commission. Karla requested that we are
able to discuss this again at the next AVAC mtg as the public of Avila hasn’t
been able to give their input on that.
Motion to table this issue to next meeting.
5.0
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE/COMMUNICATIONS
Report on
Council Chair Mtg-Personal Liability Issue
Communications
& AVAC Calendar
6.0 STANDING & AD HOC
COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 Land Use Committee Karla Bittner
Bettencourt
Project: MUP Friday 9-16-05 9am County
Planning Dept Hearing.
Committee’s
recommendation is mostly visual, very apparent from Avila Beach, located at
Lupine Cyn Rd & Vista De Avila.
Ag
Tourism: County looking at Land Use
Ordinance on land policies. Volunteer
from Squire Cyn will attend these meetings and give us input.
Bike
path project: Will review looking at an
exchange with Rob Rossi for property to go to bike path as an exchange for some
property on the golf course, right of ways.
Avila Beach Committee
(Lisa Newton/John Salisbury)
Civic
Assoc Bldg, moving ahead, waiting for plans to be finalized. Anne asked Ryan about the units above the
market, being advertised in the paper as a vacation rental. Per Ryan right now, there isn’t a vacation
rental ordinance in Avila.
6.2 Avila Valley Committee (Jan Taylor) Jan absent, no report
6.3 San Luis Bay Estates (Sheri Gooding)
Maintenance
issues on bike trail for the portions owned by SL bay estates and Rob
Rossi. Dev going on all over. Street that can’t have any parking on the
street and no guest parking, how can that not happen in the future? May submit some recommendation for AVAC
6.4 See Canyon (Bill
Tickell) no report
6.5 Squire Canyon (Karin Argano/John
Schug) no report
6.6 Traffic Circulation (Jan
Taylor/Sherri Gooding) no report
6.7 Community Liaisons
Port San Luis (Karla Bittner)
Breakwater
has been completed. Done in less than 3
weeks, really pleased with work that the port did, earthquake in 2003, grant
monies appropriated and work executed so quickly. Parking lot improvements:
2M dollars in grant funds to improve the parking lot down at the port
(Fat Cats). Pressure washing in Avila
Beach ,Port Property at beach, done after Labor Day to clean benches,
trashcans. CMC work crews.
Flood Zone 9 - no report
6.8 Diablo Report (Dusty Palaia)
Emailed
article about being prepared for disaster.
Remind us all of where we live, so close to a Nuclear Facility. Per Lyn, full scale emergency drill is being
put on by Diablo Canyon.
7.0
PUBLIC COMMENT
Boyd
Horn: Avila Beach Community
Foundation: inviting grant
applications: they have madegrants 5
years running. Requests for emergency
grants: interest is mounting, there are
a of requests for 2006. #1 priority is
Community Center Renovation. All grants are for the enhancement of Avila. Pick up an application if you have an idea.
Per
John Salisbury, the grape harvest starts tomorrow. Watch out for slow driving trucks.
8.0
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting
was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Karin
Argano, Secretary
Minutes of October 10, 2005 Meeting
Subject to revision
Call to Order
B. Pusanik called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: B. Pusanik, L. Newton, K. Argano, J. Salisbury, A. Brown, K. Bittner, S.
Gooding, D. Palaia, L. Walter, M.
Gooden, J.Schug, Ted Ivarie, Nisan Matlin
Members Absent: Jan
Taylor, B. Tickell, Jack Biesak
Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes of October 10,
2005 meeting passed and approved with
corrections after everyone has had a chance to review them.
1.0 TREASURER’S
REPORT
L. Newton
$980.58 is the balance is the
checking account. Chair accepts report
2.0 COUNTY REPORTS
2.1 Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Mike Morris
There were a couple of
random thefts, otherwise very quiet.
Commander Ben Hall is the new supervisor for the Avila area. Jerry
introduced him to AVAC when he arrived.
Contact information: bhall@slo.ca.us 805-781-4630.