Planning Commission continues CUP 24-003 for 134 Nelson Street after public concerns about parking and neighborhood character

The Arroyo Grande City Planning Commission on Nov. 4 opened public comment on conditional use permit (CUP 24-003), a proposed development at 134 Nelson Street, then voted to continue the hearing to a date uncertain after the applicant requested time to make minor modifications.

Neighbors said they were not opposed in principle to additional housing but urged the commission and staff to consider on-site parking access, construction impacts and preservation of the villagehistoric character. Nancy Underwood, who lives on Short Street and said she has resided in the neighborhood for more than five decades, raised specific concerns about the projects proposed tandem garages, saying the way the layouts are shown would leave the first car in the space without independent access out and create practical problems for nonrelated tenants. "It's very inefficient," Underwood said, and argued the configuration made it unlikely residents would use the on-site parking.

Another resident, who identified herself as Abara of 310 Short Street, said the neighborhood is historic and intimate and that parking and construction noise have already increased in recent years. Amy Turn, who lives on 221 Short Street, said a childcare center across the street intensifies parking demand. Judy Cicchetti asked whether any existing building on the corner would be removed; staff responded that the mortuary building on the corner would remain and the proposed units are located behind it on the rear parking lot.

Staff told the commission the project includes two duplexes and four ADUs; planning staff also confirmed that the four ADUs in this proposal qualify for the state parking exemption because the site is within a half-mile of a public bus stop and therefore are not required to provide additional ADU parking under state law. Staff advised the public that the item would be re-noticed in accordance with the Brown Act and that property owners within 300 feet of the site would be mailed new notices when the hearing is rescheduled.

Motion and outcome: Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to continue CUP 24-003 to a date uncertain; roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval among commissioners present. No final decision on the CUP was made at the Nov. 4 meeting.

What happens next: The applicant will revise the plans and the city will re-notice the project. Staff asked interested residents to submit written comments and to review plans posted from the Architectural Review Committee when available.

Provenance: Public comment and staff answers on parking, ADU exemptions, and project location appear in the transcript beginning at 00:26:04 and the motion to continue appears at 00:38:25.