Arroyo Grande council moves ARC meetings to chambers, continues parcel map appeal and introduces new CIP manager

Arroyo Grande City Council on Jan. 14 handled several administrative and planning items: it introduced a new capital improvement projects manager, approved code amendments to relocate the Architectural Review Committee meetings to the council chambers and continue an appeal of a tentative parcel map to a date uncertain.

Special presentation and personnel: Matt Downing, city manager, introduced Teresa Wren as the city—s new capital improvement projects manager. Wren described her background in contract city engineering, stormwater practice and project management and staff said she will lead several projects including the 2024 street repairs, the Cornwall water-main replacement (beginning Jan. 27) and ADA improvements at Elm Street Park and city hall.

Architectural Review Committee (ARC) code amendment: Brian Pedrati, community development director, presented an ordinance amending Title 2 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code to relocate regular ARC meetings from the city hall conference room to the council chambers and to schedule meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month. Staff said the change is intended to improve public access and seating; the council introduced the ordinance and found it exempt from CEQA. The motion passed by roll call vote (yes: Marbella, Low, Guthrie, Mayor Pro Tem Seacrest, Mayor Ray Russom).

Appeal of tentative parcel map: The council considered appeal case 24-2, an appeal of the Planning Commission—s denial of Tentative Parcel Map 23001 for property at 444 Lyerly Lane. Two council members recused themselves from discussion because of conflict of interest or prior hearing participation; the appellant requested a continuance to a date uncertain and waived the 60-day hearing timeline under the Subdivision Map Act as applicable. The council approved a motion to continue the hearing to a date uncertain.

Other routine actions: The council waived further readings and directed that ordinances presented at the meeting be read by title only (voice vote carried 5-0) and approved the consent agenda (items 9a through 9h) by roll call.

Votes at a glance (other actions): - Motion to read ordinances by title only and waive further readings: voice vote carried 5-0. - Consent agenda (items 9a-9h): approved by roll call (yes: Guthrie, Seacrest, Low, Marbella, Mayor Ray Russom). - Introduced ordinance amending Title 2 (ARC relocation/schedule); found exempt from CEQA; roll call vote yes (5-0). - Continued appeal case 24-2 (Tentative Parcel Map 23001, 444 Lyerly Lane) to a date uncertain; motion and second recorded; roll call indicates approval.

What happens next: The ARC meetings will be relocated and noticed per the amended code once the ordinance process completes; the parcel-map appeal will be renoticed when the appellant requests a new hearing date; staff will proceed with projects assigned to the new CIP manager.