Arroyo Grande planning commission says 10-year capital improvement program is consistent with general plan

The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission voted unanimously May 20 to find the City's proposed 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) consistent with the Arroyo Grande General Plan.

Andrew Perez, the city's planning manager, told the commission the draft CIP identifies 86 projects over 10 years with an estimated cost of about $138,000,000, and that roughly $102,000,000 of that total is expected to come from local sales tax funding while about $18,000,000 is anticipated from grants.

The commission heard staff describe major near-term projects including full replacement of the Trafficway Bridge, the Halcyon Complete Streets plan (which would add bike lanes, sidewalk infill, crosswalks, road diets and a roundabout at Fair Oaks and Halcyon), the annual pavement management program, and a Wazna Road roundabout at East Branch/Corbett Canyon. Staff also highlighted long-range projects such as replacement of the Mark Millis Community Center at the SOTA Sports Complex (construction estimated to start in fiscal year 2028-29) and the Branch Mill slope-stabilization project, which staff said would permanently stabilize Branch Mill Road, an evacuation and truck route serving adjacent areas.

Commissioners focused questions on funding and timing. Vice Chair Martin asked why the Measure O allocations in a table in the staff packet fluctuate year to year. Perez responded that the table shows planned expenditures (a share of Measure O used for capital projects), not total sales-tax revenue, and that Measure O proceeds can be allocated to multiple uses including public safety; the table therefore reflects years in which a larger or smaller share of Measure O is budgeted for CIP work. Perez said the city uses a consultant for sales-tax projections and offered to follow up with details.

Perez told the commission staff evaluated the entire 10-year CIP for consistency with the general plan and recommended adoption of a resolution making that finding. He cited alignment with policies in the circulation, safety, parks and recreation, economic development and land use elements.

No members of the public provided comment on the CIP item either in person or online. Chair Roof praised the Trafficway Bridge work during commission communications, saying the new traffic pattern was functioning well once drivers adjusted.

Commissioner discussion also touched on the Mark Millis Community Center project'noting community interest in restoring preschool/childcare slots lost when the prior facility closed. Perez said he anticipated "quite a bit of community outreach" before the design phase and that staff would provide opportunities such as surveys and public meetings.

A motion to approve the resolution finding the CIP consistent with the Arroyo Grande General Plan passed on a roll-call vote: Vice Chair Martin, yes; Commissioner Buchanan, yes; Commissioner Worthen, yes; Chair Roof, yes.

The commission's consistency finding is a statutory annual requirement: Perez cited Government Code section 65103(c), which requires review of capital improvement programs for conformity with general plans. Final adoption of the CIP is scheduled at the City Council meeting on June 10, Perez said.