SAN MIGUEL ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES
PO Box 425, San Miguel, CA California, 93451
www.sanmigueladvisorycouncil.org
MEETING TIME & DATE: 7:00 PM – March 24, 2010
LOCATION: COMMUNITY CENTER – (13th Street, behind Library)

I. Flag Salute – Jean Hoffmann
II. Roll Call – Not taken
ADVIS0RY COUNCIL MEMBERS
GARY DAVIS – CHAIRMAN Present
DEBBIE LEWIS – VICE-CHAIRMAN Absent/resigned
SHARON BROWER – SECRETARY Present
TOM BANISH – TREASURER Excused
DENIS DEGHER – PUBLIC RELATIONS Present
NOEL CARPENTER – HISTORIAN Excused
MIKE SANDERS – CSD LIAISON Absent
JEAN HOFFMANN – ALTERNATE Excused

III. MINUTES APPROVAL – The minutes were reviewed as read with no corrections. Motions by Noel Carpenter and seconded by Denis Degher. 5-0
IV. TREASURERS REPORT – Gary Davis reported based on the bank statement as Tom Banish was excused due to another commitment. The balance remains at $1,064.19.
V. COUNCIL REPORT
A. Chairman – Gary Davis opened his report with the news
that due to personal issues Debbie Lewis has resigned. The
Council verbally thanked Debbie for her service and related how
sorry they were to see her leave. They also reiterated their
good thoughts for her. After this announcement Mr. Davis
brought up the subject of the June elections. There will be six
seats open at this election. Those who have arrived at the
end of their term are: Gary Davis, Tom Banish,and Denis
Degher. Also Jean Hoffman, who was elected as an alternate
but filled the vacant seat, caused with Debbie’s
resignation plus two alternate seats, one which remained unfilled
since the last election due to lack of a candidate.
The May meeting is the time for nominations to be put
forward. Noel Carpenter will contact The League of Women
Voter’s to request their monitoring of the election; which will be
on June 23rd , at the regularly scheduled meeting.
Mr. Davis reported on the Community Advisory Chairperson’s
meeting of February 26th, which was held in the Board of
Supervisor’s office. Some member’s of the Planning Dept were
there. Other attendees may be a Supervisor or a Liaison from
the Supervisor’s office. At this meeting examples of letters
that other Council’s have developed and used for
recommendation or opposition to a project were shared. Mr.
Davis distributed them to the present council for perusal.
Other subjects brought up were the “flexible agenda” which
county staff will disseminate so that the Chair’s could take
back to their respective council’s. The importance of the
census results was discussed, as it is the impetus for many of
the development stages within the county. This tool not only
shows what areas are growing and needing services but also
the areas that are decreasing in size and may need less or
different services initiated. Two or three Council members
related that they still haven’t received their census forms. On
April 20, 2010 there will be a training session held at the SLO
library on adoption of land use and open spaces. This session
may be open to other than Council members, if anyone is
interested.
Jean Hoffmann and Sharon Brower have volunteered to work on
the display and information, decoration etc. for the Business
Forum. The date for the Forum is April 23rd from (“00 AM for
set up and display 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM. Gary Davis will also
assist with manning the display.
Reminder: Mr. Davis wanted to let everyone know that the
Planning Commission has re-scheduled their scoping meeting for
tomorrow March 25. It will be held at the Board of Supervisor’s
Chambers. April 8 the is the deadline for submitting written
comments, if you are unable to attend.
B. Jean Hoffmann wanted to congratulate Gary Davis on the
way he handled the Scoping meeting that SMAC hosted. Frayed
attitudes were beginning to show toward the end and Mr. Davis
took that as a sign to adjourn rather that allow anger to build
into a difficult situation. Good Job Gary!
C. Sharon Brower – Ms. Brower gave a short report on the
scoping meeting. There were approximately 45 attending. She
said she was disappointed because the county had sent out
1700 + or – notices. However, John Nall, Ecological Planner
stated that they were very pleased with the number, the
questions asked and the suggestions made to mitigate some of
the problems, specifically in the transportation arena.
D. Mike Sanders, CSD Liaison. There was no report as Mr.
Sanders was absent.
VI. PUBLIC REPORTS
CHP/Sheriff – There was no one present from either agency.
CSD – Dale Hamblin, President of the Board – Mr. Hamblin clarified that the CSD meeting was always on the 4th Thursday of the month, unless the public is notified of a change. Per Mr. Hamblin, “The agenda for tomorrow night is not too exciting.” He said there will be a special presentation given by the Fire Chief to recognize someone from the training session. The Board is also looking at requesting an ordinance to put those who are delinquent in their sewer bill, or water bill on the tax roll so that if they just pack up and leave without clearing up the delinquence causing the CSD a loss in funds. Then, there will be a closed session for discussion re: purchasing the property just north of the existing sewer pond. The land being negotiated is 17+ acres and is owned by Brent Grizzle’s father. CSD is now moving ahead on the second storage tank, It is in process with the Engineering Consultants, They, CSD, are seeking grant funds from Rural Assistance which is associated with the Department of Agriculture. The current sewer pond consists of 6-7 acres and is sufficient for 2-3 ponds. Karl Von Dollen wanted to know why there was a lake on N. St. from 11th to 14th. Mr. Hamblin explained that was a county issue. The storm drains were placed by the county as well as the grading. He was encouraged to notify the County office. Colleen Enk wanted to know “How far north is these 17 acres CSD wants to buy?’ “And is there access to the area, across the rail road tracks and Mission?” Mr. Hamblin replied that there is current access to the ponds through the adjacent housing development. Also the rail road has access along the tracks, in that area. The CSD property goes approximately 300 yds north of the current housing. Mr. Von Dollen stated that the San Miguel Ranch project EIR shows the property (dropped). Denis Degher spoke up with “The County only put drains on the south side”. (This relates to the previous discussion re: the flooding on N. St. Gary Davis picked up the discussion with a question re: the Pankey site. “Will this land for the sewer ponds run into the sewer pond area?” He also asked “Will you, from CSD, write a letter indicating that Pankey is within the area”. Mr. Hamblin responded, “He (PANKEY) can’t do anything, except on his own property,” Mr. Davis states, “One of the things I’ve learned from the scoping meetings is to bring up things that they want to do.”
Supervisor’s Office – Vicki Shelby, Legislative Assistant present for Supervisor Frank Me-cham. The Board of Supervisors will be meeting on March 23rd to go over a very energetic agenda, looking at three chapters of the elements. They will consist of conservation and open space elements; they will meet again on April 6, 2010 to address the next three chap-ters and on April 20th for the final adoption of the elements (?). Frank Mecham will be in his Paso Robles office on April 18th from 9-11. On April 14th he will be in the Heritage Ranch office from 2-4. There will be an additional meeting next week, (not a regular mtg.) to discuss Health Care Issues and delivery of care with CHC (Community Health Care).
Denis Degher asked about the grading ordinance as it pertains to agriculture. Ms Shelby deferred to Mike Conger, who is a planner from South County and is involved with the en-vironmental issues,. He stated” that the current grading ordinance has a threshold of 50 cubic yards permit. It has been that an agricultural road is 15 spaces and required an al-ternate review procedure with roads going to alternate (RCD) review. This area includes those that are in the Upper Salinas and Los Tablas area in Templeton. Using the new ap-proach can give? Permits.” Roads that go through the center of an Ag field or around the periphery are no-exempt. The current ordinance stands at 50 with the state requirements it will go to 75. (?) He further stated that the planners are working with Agriculture liaisons and wine grower groups. Recontouring and cultivation for the purpose of growing grapes is okay. Ripping and disking is not considered grading and they and cultivation will not require permits. For a new field there is a file form but there is no review for approval (?) as long as the slopes are no more than 30%. The formulas are no greater than a d foot rise for every 10 feet.

San Miguel Resource Connection – Jean Hoffmann is reporting for The Resource Connection this evening. She reports that the Sagebrush Days Parade is on April 24th and will commence at 10:00 AM on Mission St. The Resource Connection is also sponsoring a Business Forum on April 23rd, to be held in the Mission’s new Parish Hall. It will be from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The San Miguel Advisory Council will have a table at the Forum. Ms. Hoffmann reports that the Happy Hornets from Lillian Larsen School are also going to give a presentation on “Rethink Your Drink”. On May 8th there will be a fundraiser for Masters of Their Trades. This will be at Albertsons Food Market. There is also a planned Ag tour on May 5th. Ms. Hoffmann stated that particulars can be found on the web site: “Discover San Miguel”.
IX.COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Elizabeth Kavanaugh gave info on the upcoming: The Weyrick project will be before the Planning Commission on April 22nd and the Paola Pecora project will be heard on April 16th. (Both of these projects received favorable response from SMAC).
A. The Pecora project will consist of 16,000 square feet with
each individual office being 500 – to 1200 square feet. It is
at the corner of Mission and 11th Street. The applicant has
now agreed to lighting in the parking area. Answering a
question of where will they be, Ms. Kavanaugh stated she did
not know if they would be on the building or free standing.
Patricia McHarris asked if the awnings, as indicated in the
renderings were of cloth, tile or wood. She was not in favor of
metal. Denis Degher asked if there were windows above the
awnings. Ms Kavanaugh explained that what he was looking at
was signage but that what is indicated on the blue print will
not be allowed. Mr. Degher made the motion to approve the
project, saying that he (Mr. Pecora) has responded to what
we asked about and he is trying to make it reflect the towns
needs and desires. Sharon Brower seconded. Passed 5-0
B. Estrella River Vineyards – Jamie Kirk agent, speaking for the
applicant. Ms. Kirk began her presentation by apologizing for
an opinion that she heard re: the Council becoming angry and
saying that she pulled a fast one at her last appearance. Per
Ms. Kirk she didn’t get in to some parts of the proposed
application because she did not feel that it would be
considered. She reiterated that there was no intent to “pull a
fast one”. The site consists of 562 acres with most planted to
crops at this time. The plan is to break the site into 5 lots.
Those lots would range in size from 80 to 170 acres each.
Currently there are 229 acres planted in grapes, 80 acres in
spinach and 40+ acres planted in blueberries. The area of the
project is considered to be Lot 19. This property is in the
Williams Act as well as in an open space agreement with the
county. The lots where development will occur, 1-18, are in
the southeast corner of the property and back up to the
Jardine housing development. The money from the sale of 1-18
will be reinvested back into the agricultural area. The space
currently planted to spinach will become vineyard. Lot 19 will
be allowed to have one residence, designed for farm support
i.e. farm manager. Lots 1-18 will have CC&R’s established to
ensure a uniformity of care to the homes and landscape.
There will be no modular housing allowed, must be stick built
per Ms. Kirk. A major concern with the Planning Commission
per Ms. Kirk is that the area has been showing a decline in
water. Water use for a vineyard consists of 1 acre foot of
water per acre of vineyard. Denis Degher opined that the
county is negative on Ag clusters and Michael Conger in talking
about the water issue stated that there has been a rapid
decline in the sustainability of water. Ms. Kirk admitted that
the water is a major issue and that Paso Robles is also
concerned about putting in 18 homes in that area, at this time
of water depletion. She said that she is going to ask the
Planning Commission at the meeting in the AM (3/25 AM) for a
continuance as she is working with hydrologists and the city of
Paso Robles in attempting to find other ways, within the city,
to improve the water shortage. The end result hoped for is
that Paso Robles may then give thumbs up on the cluster. A
point of interest is that only a corner of this land lies within
our sphere of influence. Ms Kirk said this had been discussed,
but it was felt to be important to get a clear picture on how
this Council felt about the plan. Gary Davis stated that the
Council would like to hang “on your coat tails” and table this
until you get your answer from the county. Mr. Degher offered
the opinion that the Council should not table the action but
leave it with the county. Rob Mung, applicant and property
owner/manager wanted the council to know that he is a farmer
and he knows that there is enough water. Noel Carpenter
asked Jamie Kirk what she meant re: going outside. Ms Kirk
explained that meant working with Paso Robles on the water
problems. Mr. Carpenter then stated, “I understand Denis’
point of view but right now I’m in favor of Gary’s
suggestion. Patricia McHarris said she had 3 points she
wanted to discuss. #1 Who would the Jardine homeowners
go to if they had a problem? Paso Robles or San Miguel? #2 If
staff recommends denial but the project is approved by the
Planning Commission will it require an E. I. R? Jamie Kirk
responded that if the Planning Commission grants a
continuance she will be gathering more information because
the hydrologist can’t be there tomorrow. Michael Conger said
the next Planning Commission meeting that it would come up (if
the continuance is granted) would be May 13th. Ms Kirk
started to say “If May 13th is denied when Mr. Degher spoke
up to offer a motion to table the project for now. Mr. Davis
noted that this did not require a motion. Colleen Enk spoke
up. “I have one question of Jamie; do you need to do a land
use study?” Some conversation continued until Mr. Davis
brought the meeting to order.

.
X. OLD BUSINESS – Having announced and voted on the changes
of meeting dates for No-vember and December for three
meetings the secretary will change the by-laws to reflect
those changes.
IX. NEW BUSINESS – Pankey Sand Mine scoping Meeting in the
Board of Supervisor’s chambers tomorrow morning, March 25 at
9:00 AM. The Resource Connection Business Forum April 23rd
at 10:00 AM.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM
Next meeting on April 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM