SAN MIGUEL ADVISORY COUNCIL

                                                        MINUTES

                                   PO Box 425, San Miguel, CA 93451

                                   www.sanmigueladvisorycouncil.co

               Meeting Time & Date:   7:00 PM  – July 22, 2009

  Location: Community Center (13^th Street – behind Library)

 

I.   Flag Salute   – Mike Sanders

II.  Roll Call  - Debbie Lewis

     Advisory Council Members

     Gary Davis  – Chairman                     Present

     Debbie Lewis  – Vice-Chairman          Present

     Sharon Brower  – Secretary               Present

     Tom Banish  – Treasurer                    Present

     Noel Carpenter  – Historian                Excused

     Denis Degher  – Public Relations       Present

     Mike Sanders  – Member                   Present

     Jean Hoffmann  – Alternate               Present

 

III.  Minutes Approval

  May minutes corrected to reflect that Amanda Rice; webmaster would be paid through to January 1,   2010. The extra quarter is to allow a member of the Council to be instructed in the management of the  site.  Motion made by Debbie Lewis to approve with second by Mike Sanders.  Approved 7-0

  June minutes approved without correction.  Motion by Denis Degher with second by Sharon Brower.            Approved 7-0.

 

IV.  Treasurers Report

  Tom Banish reports a balance of $564.19 after paying the League of Women Voters $190.00 for  election coverage.  Yearly rent for the Community Center of $360.00 paid to the Lions via Mike Sanders this date.  Mr. Banish reports that he has requested $1000.00 from the office of Frank   Meecham, Supervisor for operating expenses.  Due to the economic constraints of the county the Supervisor approved $900.00. 

 

V.    Council Report

        Sharon Brower reports that she expanded the posting sites for the monthly agenda to include Cal  Ag on Monterey Rd., the Bus Stop at Welsona & Monterey, The Bakery and Chevron station on 10^th Street.  The sites at the Post Office, in front of Mike Sanders business, Mission Deli and Dos Padres were also used.  Ms Brower requested further ideas to place the agendas to reach a larger populace.

        Suggestions for Pleasant Valley School in the eastern sphere of influence, and the Elkhorn Bar; a frequented “historical” saloon were offered.

   Ms. Brower also expressed concern that information is not being updated to the web site in a  manner  past information sent to the Webmaster.  Denis Degher discussed having a Council member  update the site.  Ms Brower indicated her interest and Mr. Degher encouraged her to do so.  The  month of September was offered as a goal date.

 Gary Davis reported to the audience that there were subtle changes being added to the meeting so that they will run more efficiently.  The most visual change is the use of name cards in front of the members so that the audience will know their Council members.  The Council has started a practice              tonight that is used by the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.  It is a Request Form to speak before the Council.  The participant fills out their name, agenda item, issue or question that             they wish to speak to the Council about.  It also includes information on appropriate conduct.  One of  the reasons it is being initiated is to assist the Council and secretary in the correct spelling of the speakers name.  Mr. Davis also explained the initiation of letters to applicants and project managers to notify them that their project is coming before the Council as well as a letter to let the  applicant/project manager know the Council’s  recommendation to the Planning Department.  Mr.  Davis explained that both of these changes were discussed with Elizabeth Kavanaugh, SLO county  planner.

 

 

VI.      Public Reports

          A..  CHP/Sheriff  -   Not Present

          B .  CSD  – Not Present

          C.   Supervisor’s Office   – Supervisor Mecham    Present

    Mr. Mecham’s first point of info was regarding Prop 1A (passed in 2006) He stated he had spoken with Sam Blakeslee re the states ability to “borrow” monies from the county and cities to shore up the shortfall of the state. He also stated that any loans were to be paid back within  three years. Priority payback at 100% of the billing would be schools, bonds, pensions and  salaries with counties and cities in the middle.  (The state can also release prisoners to decrease financial outfall.)  All of the measures are going to affect everyone – roads, projects and personnel.  The California budget was passed on July 1, 2009

    Mr. Mecham is to meet with a new representative from the    ?       re: the railroad crossing at 16^th Street.    Jim Saunders asked Mr. Mecham what this (state and county finances) is going to mean to the proposed use of the   former Paso Robles Youth Authority on Airport Rd to a re-entry facility.  Mr. Mecham indicated that he didn’t know at this time.  It was determined that the CDF will remain at the site per Gary Davis.  Denis Degher questioned Mr. Mecham re: a question he has been asked by residents driving Airport Rd. past the facility, regarding the lights being on throughout the night time hours.  Mr. Mecham stated he didn’t know but would find out.  It was pointed out that actually the   facility is not within San Miguel’s sphere of influence.  It was brought up because so many residents drive past the site on the way to their home in San Miguel.

            D.  Public Comment

                  1.   Laverne Buckman spoke to the Housing Element module which   is to go to the Board of  Supervisors for the first reading on August 11, 2009 after the Planning Commission   approval.  Her concern lies in the amount of set “low income” sites that have been approved   for San Miguel.  Per Ms. Buckman; who has been paying close attention to this element,  a                        developer could be approved to build “high income” homes in Santa Margarita and be  allowed to use a San Miguel site to fulfill his/her obligation to build “low income” housing  (LIH).  She emphasized that it is important for the Council and other informed individuals to                           understand changes.  Currently she said there are eleven parcels in the county that are  prime sites for LIH; seven in San Miguel, three in Los Osos and one in Avila Beach.

            Per Mr. Mecham the state determines how many low income sites each county should  accommodate. They don’t say you must build, but you have to zone and plan for them. One   important bit of information is that San Miguel has a sewer system while Los Osos and Avila  Beach are not as advanced with zoning, infrastructure and sewers. 

            Denis Degher spoke to the fact that this past spring planners came to the Council meeting to  explain the seven sites and it is upsetting to him that no one has ever returned.  He questions   why a developer can build high end in one town and go to their choice of cheaper land in  another city.  The ratio is currently one low income unit for every seven units of  “higher          income” units.  Per Elizabeth Kavanaugh the planner was Dana Lilley.  She stated that one of  the reasons for the number in San Miguel was the amount of vacant multi-family sites

            Mr. Mecham volunteered to set up a meeting between Mr. Lilley and any Council members who would like to meet with him within the next two weeks.  Debbie Lewis to coordinate  effort  with Sharon Brower, Jean Hoffmann and Laverne Buckman.  Mr. Mecham to accept  letters from individual members or the Council re: San Miguel’s current low income housing  situation.  He also informed the Council that the next module is Conservation.

 Patricia McHarris spoke to the issue that “blight can be created when (a city is) forced  to accept more LIH when there already is LIH and even baser housing.”  She expressed  hope that the Council would write a letter before Aug. 11 letting the Board know their feelings.

 Laverne Buckman recognizes that (they are)”trying to do the best job with what’s  available.  But provide evidence that it is available.” 

 Elizabeth Kavanaugh – “There has only been one LIH project in six years.”

  Brent Grizzle; developer for the San Miguel Ranch project offered that “Developers   are not going to build expensive condominiums.”  To which John Szymzniak  commented “High End homes can be built in small towns.”

VII.  County Planning Report     

Elizabeth Kavanaugh gave updates on: Butterfield project – approved on June 25. Planners request  for  energy efficiency over-ruled.  Fifty percent build out.

       Wachman project – approved 7/17

       San Miguel Ranch project – scheduled for EIR on Aug 13^th with the planning commission study on Aug 27  with a Hearing on Sept 10^th

Also on the 27^th is the module on Special Events with it going before the Board on the 30^th .

 

       A.  Project before the Council – APN 027-144-019 & APN 026-105-001 Minor Use Permit Modification  for Four Vines Winery/Jim Saunders.  7300 River Rd. P.R. 93446 – presented by Elizabeth Kavanaugh and applicant.

 Question re; proposed pond, may not build. Mr. Saunders states that the water was foul, however  they introduced aerators and the quality has improved, tastes okay and water fowl have returned  to the site.  Denis Degher requested info from applicant re: use of solar collectors as energy     efficient method.  Applicant feels that the number of collectors needed may be prohibitive an offensive on the roof but he is interested in wind turbines.  He had choice of two designs; he is  happy with both and requests Council opinions.

 Mr. Degher indicated a desire for the mission tile roof to keep in line with existing structures.  Applicant approves of that plan since the decision over design has to be made before the hearing.  (Not scheduled at this time.)

 John Szymaniak spoke to the project stating “Jim makes beautiful buildings and is doing a great job with his land.”

Sharon Brower motioned to approve the design plan/project with the suggestion that the mission tile roof design be approved.  Denis Degher seconded.  Approved 5-2.

VII.  Old Business

Agreement on website contract clarified and corrected on May minutes.  Mike Sanders has been attending the CSD meetings and will continue to do so as the representative of  the San Miguel Advisory Council.  Approved by 7-0.  Mr. Sanders will take to CSD a report on  appropriate business of SMAC.

Mr. Meecham stated that he would like to see a joint meeting of the two bodies as a way of improving   relationships.  Mr. Davis indicated that the Council would take it under advisement.

 III.  New Business

The next meeting of the San Miguel Advisory Council will be on August 26, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

         A.   Pending projects to be addressed at that time are:

               1.   Estrella River Vineyard Ag. Cluster Subdivision; reduction in number of lots.(not in holding  pattern)

               2.   Cross Canyon Vineyards, subdivision of two parcels into six parcels.  ( ? Williamson Act Parcels)

 

          B.  Gary Davis to attend the Community Advisory Meeting on August   14^th “Meeting of the Chairs” at the  Board of Supervisors site.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM

Respectfully Submitted

Sharon Brower, Secretary

 

Minutes were approved on August 26, 2009 with no corrections