§ 16.16.080. Minor use permits—Plot plan review.

A.

When a minor use permit is required by this title to authorize a project proposal, its approval certifies that the land use or development will satisfy all applicable provisions of this title. Minor use permit—plot plan review approval is required when a development or use of land is listed in a particular zoning district as an allowable use subject to approval of a minor use permit (MUP) or the requirements listed in Section 16.16.050(B) are met. Minor use permit—plot plan review approval enables issuance of a building permit under Title 15 of this code or the establishment of a land use that does not require a building permit but is still subject to the standards of this title.

B.

Authority. Except for concurrent applications as provided for in Section 16.12.070, the community development director is authorized to approve minor use permits, subject to the appeal provisions of Section 16.12.150. Minor use permits will be reported to the planning commission on a consent agenda for the purposes of providing public notice according to Section 16.12.155.

In addition to instances where the provisions of this title specifically require minor use permit review, applications that meet any of the following criteria shall also require minor use permit review—plot plan review:

1.

Second residential units that deviate from the requirements listed in 16.52.150(C). However, certain deviations may require conditional use permit review as determined by the community development director;

2.

Projects, including demolitions, in the historical character overlay district (D-2.4) consistent with 16.16.060(C)(2) of this section and 16.36.030(B)(b);

3.

New construction or expansion of parking lots;

4.

Construction of outdoor storage areas on the same site as an existing business;

5.

Construction and/or placement of satellite dishes, antennas, roof or ground-mounted equipment visible from public view;

6.

New accessory structures or additions that do not result in an increase of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the floor area of the existing building or five hundred (500) square feet, whichever is less;

7.

Development of any other uses, facilities, or structures for which a minor use permit is specifically required by this title;

8.

Residential construction projects of two to four dwelling units on one lot, unless otherwise specified in this title.

9.

Alteration or demolition of a designated historic resource.

10.

Establishment of vacation rentals or homestays in applicable zoning districts identified in Table 16.32.040-A and Table 16.36.030(A).

C.

Submittal and Review Requirements:

1.

Minor use permit—plot plan review applications shall contain the following:

a.

Completed planning application form and required fee and attachments (see also Section 16.12.030);

b.

Five copies of accurately scaled drawings using a standard engineer's scale (approval necessary for use of scale smaller than 1:30, i.e., 1:40 or 1:50), neatly and accurately prepared, that will enable ready identification and recognition of submitted information (folded to nine inches by twelve (12) inches size) showing:

i.

Location, exterior boundaries, and dimensions of the entire property that is the subject of the application. The scale of the drawing and a north arrow shall be indicated. An area location map showing the proposed project site and its distance from nearby cross streets and natural or manmade landmarks, as necessary to readily locate the site, may be included,

ii.

The location, name, width and pavement type of adjacent street(s) or alley(s), as well as the location of existing or proposed curbs, gutter or sidewalk improvements, if any,

iii.

The location, dimensions and use of all existing and proposed structures on the property, including accessory structures, trash enclosures, decks, balconies, fences, walls, exterior lighting structures, signs, and other structural elements that protrude into yard areas. When the use of a proposed structure is not certain at the time of application, the occupancy-type, as defined by the Uniform Building Code, may be submitted for use,

iv.

The locations, dimensions and type of existing and proposed utilities, including water supply, sewage disposal facilities, electricity, gas, or other utilities. Existing and proposed public and private easements shall be shown,

v.

The location and dimensions of existing or proposed driveways and parking areas (enclosed or open), including type of surfacing materials, parking spaces, aisles and identification of any driveway grades over ten (10) percent. The flow of traffic should be noted by arrows,

vi.

The generalized location of any major topographic or manmade features on the site, such as rock outcrops, bluffs, streams and watercourses, or graded areas. A topographic map may be required by the community development director,

vii.

The locations of all existing trees and major shrubs, with specific specifications as to which plants are to be removed or retained;

c.

Five blueprints of a grading plan and drainage plan (folded to nine inches by twelve (12) inches size) if found necessary by the community development director or public works director;

d.

Five blueprints of preliminary floor plans (folded to nine inches by twelve (12) inches size), drawn using standard engineers or architect scale, for each story of each building or structure, showing the following:

i.

Location of walls, doors and windows,

ii.

Identification of activity areas,

iii.

Placement of window and door locations on floor plans in coordination with the elevations;

e.

Preliminary landscape plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect or as approved by the parks and recreation director, if found necessary the community development director. The number of copies of such plans to be submitted shall be established by the community development director. The community development department may require submission of amendments to an application before, during or after its review period to reflect more detailed information reasonably necessary for staff to make its determination. If a new structure or an addition to existing structure is proposed, where the addition or new structure will be located within the dripline of an oak or landmark tree, a site plan shall be submitted which depicts the location of all mature trees on the site, including the type of tree and diameter of the tree. At the discretion of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director, an arborist report may be required for any trees on the site which may be affected by the proposal in order to determine whether the proposal will damage the existing tree(s).

2.

Minor use permit—plot plan review in the historic character overlay district.

a.

The minor use permit shall include such textual description and plans, sketches, and drawings as are necessary to show:

i.

Use. The existing or proposed use and design of the premises, building or structure, including areas to be paved, graded, excavated, landscaped or otherwise improved or disturbed; and

ii.

Value. The historic, cultural archaeological or architectural resource value or significance of a building, structure or site based upon research of historic archives, archaeological and/or ethnographic data, photographs and other documents; and

iii.

Relationship to the district. The relationship of the proposed use, activity, building or structure to the historic, cultural, or architectural resources present in the surrounding district.

3.

A sign permit application may be required to be processed concurrently with the minor use permit review for any use proposed to have signs.

4.

An architectural review application may be required to be processed concurrently with the minor use permit if modifications to the exterior of a building are proposed.

5.

After receipt of a completed application, the community development director may approve a minor use permit—plot plan review application, when the proposed project or use satisfies all applicable provisions of this title. The community development director shall prepare a written decision that shall contain the findings of fact upon which such decision is based. Copies of the decision shall be provided to the applicant, public works, and building and fire departments, and reported to the planning commission in accordance with Section 16.12.155.

6.

For plot plan reviews establishing the use of property for vacation rental purposes, the decision of the community development director shall also be mailed to all property owners of parcels within three hundred (300) feet of the property for which the plot plan review has been requested, in addition to the requirements of subsection (C)(5). The notice shall indicate the appeal provisions of Section 16.12.150.

D.

Required Findings. Minor use permit—plot plan review may be approved only if all the following findings of fact can be made in an affirmative manner:

1.

The proposed project is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the Arroyo Grande general plan;

2.

The proposed project conforms to applicable performance standards and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare;

3.

The physical location or placement of the use on the site is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

E.

Additional Findings for the Historic Character Overlay District.

1.

The construction, alteration, demolition, or relocation of any building or structure or earth movement enhances, to the maximum extent feasible, and does not interfere with, detract from or degrade the historic cultural, architectural or archaeological resource values of the district.

2.

The use proposed for a building, structure, or parcel of land shall be compatible with the uses predominating in the designated area.

3.

The development, demolitions, relocations, conversions are in keeping with the architectural style and scale characterizing the period of history in which the structure was built, including the landscaping features, and/or the features which caused the property to be so included in the district.

4.

Proposed restoration efforts are in keeping with details, materials, textures, colors, and landscape features common to the period of history when the designated district was constructed.

5.

Where applicable, the project meets the alternative building regulations pursuant to Part 8 of Title 24 of the 2007 California Historical Building Code and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects.

F.

Conditions of Approval. In approving a minor use permit—plot plan review, the community development director may impose reasonable conditions to ensure compliance with this title.

(Ord. 594 § 14, 2007; Ord. 573 Exh. A (part), 2005; Ord. 544 § 3, Exh. B (part), 2003; prior code § 9-03.060; Ord. No. 663, § 5, 6-10-2014)