AVILA VALLEY ADVISORY COUNCIL

San Luis Obispo County, California

P.O. Box 65

Avila Beach, California 93424

www.AvilaValley.org

Special Meeting Monday, August 8, 2011

Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chair Anne M. Brown at 7:08 p.m..
Present were: Anne M. Brown, Bill Tickell, Lisa Newton, Boyd Horne, Sherri Danoff, Ted Ivarie, Ken Thompson, Lynn Helenius, Steve Johnson, Julie Hartzell. A quorum of the council was established.

Steve Johnson, See Canyon representative, started the meeting by explaining the reason for the Special Session: although the project was approved unanimously at the AVAC April meeting, the planner Brian Pedrotti was not present, the staff report had not been completed and the neighbors were unaware of the matter on the AVAC Agenda in April. When they became aware, a See Canyon sub-committee was formed to address canyon concerns about the project. This special meeting is the result of their meetings, and the Council has been asked to send a letter to the Planning Commission addressing the concerns expressed by the residents and the Land Use Committee of AVAC. (Text of letter attached)

This evening the Council will review the proposed letter and accept comments, with the intent to send/not send the letter.

Steve asked Mr. Pedrotti, planner, to respond to each of the “bullet” items.
    1. Guest quarter: size restriction, but allowed.
    2. Fence along See Canyon Rd: a Public Works matter.
    3. Driveway aprons: Public Works purview.
    4. Two-lane bridge: Public Works.
    5. Lot 4: Oak tree removal..can be mitigated.
    6. Lot 5: Elimination of envelope “B”: not addressed.
    7. Creek stewardship: could be added to Conditions of Approval.
    8. Map Condition 25: will take under advisement.
    9. Wells and septic tank standards: not addressed.
Mr. Pedrotti explained that re: oaks, CALFIRE requires certain clearances around dwellings, which may account for high #s of oak removal/impact. He answered questions from the Council
Steve opened the floor for public comment:
    1. Denise Allen: concerned about creek stewardship.
    2. Jan Mello: wondered if lots could be held back from sale until the bridge/culvert is widened.
    3. Mike Wall (?sp): questioned the lot spacing..Mr. Pedrotti explained the clustering concept. The planning commission could specify larger open space areas. The 20-acre parcel could be split into 2 lots in the future.

4. Sheila Ward: expressed concern about additional traffic and blind corners already present on the road.

    5. Jamie Stehula: road is degenerating with present use. The fence previously mentioned is “in the road” and increases dangers for cyclists and runners.
    6. Karen Winkler: wants oaks previously removed “illegally” to be counted for mitigation. Showed aerial views taken previously to show oak removal.
    7. Tyler Rowland (?sp): measured the width of the culvert at 17’8”.
He is concerned about the water table being affected by new homes’ use.
    8. Jeff Herten: The canyon a “special place”. The “cluster” concept not appropriate for the canyon. There are too many lots in the planned project.
    9. Kimberly Evenson (?sp) says litter is a problem now and will potentially become worse with more homes and use of the road.

Steve then invited John Wallace, the applicant’s agent, to address the previous presentations, the letter points and audience concerns. He feels that all the concerns have been addressed by the project as presented.

The discussion came back to the AVAC council, and questions were asked by various members to clarify points..Sherri asked CALFIRE about the bridge issue, and they referred the question to Public Works.

A motion was made by Julia Hartzell, seconded by Sherri Danoff that the proposed draft letter be sent to the Planning Commission, with the deletion in #4 of “by the applicant”. After further discussion, the question was called by Ted Ivarie and a unanimous vote to send the amended letter was made.

Sherri will put the letter on AVAC letterhead with copies to AVAC members, Brian Pedrotti, Public Works and John Wallace.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. until the September 12th regular meeting.