Veterans of Foreign Wars 2814 Hosts Second Annual Chili Cookoff

Atascadero City Council Holds Special Meeting to Address the Atascadero Creek Project

A portion of the creek bank next to Lift Station #5 failed due to storm damage in January

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — On Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m., the Atascadero City Council met for a special virtual meeting to discuss the Emergency Contract Award for the Atascadero Creek Slope Stabilization Project at Lift Station #5. Councilmember Charles Bourbeau was not available to attend the meeting.

“During the [January] storms, a significant portion of the bank of Atascadero Creek became unstable and eroded and fell into the creek. Very very close to Lift Station #5,” stated Public Works Director

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The event raised approximately $700 that will be donated to Meals That Connect through Atascadero Senior Center

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

2814 of Atascadero hosted its second Chili Cookoff. The community came out to support the veterans and seniors of the North County from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and could pay $5 to taste all the tasty chilis made by local competitors. 2022 California Mid-State Fair Queen Brooke Smith and her court, Sarah Barr and Jenna Shapero, were also in attendance to welcome everyone.

“We had a great crowd that came out, packed the house, and we had nine competitors that competed this year,” said VFW Auxiliary 2814 President Sabrina Sakaguchi. “We had probably about 90 or so tasters that came through and tasted chilis and voted for People’s Choice.”

The nine Cookoff participants competed for first through third place, as well as People’s Choice. First place went to Terry Granstrom, who received $100 and a trophy.

Second place went to Ray Morrison, who received $50.

Third place went to Michael Lasley, who received $25.

This year, the Cookoff benefited Meals That Connect, operating out of the Atascadero Senior Center. The nonprofit provides hot noontime meals to seniors countywide.

CHRISTIANNA MARKS AND CAMILLE DEVAUL

North County

— Atascadero’s annual Father-Daughter Dance was back for its 18th year, and this year, participants went “Under the Sea” with the dance’s theme. The fun-filled dance kicked off the month of love with its first installment on Friday, Feb. 3, with a dance for daughters ages 12 and under to frolic Under the Sea with their dads, father figures, and grandfathers. Round two happened on Saturday, Feb. 4, and was put on for daughters ages 12 and up.

“The guests absolutely loved the [Under the Sea] theme and could wear all of their beautiful turquoise and blue colors,” stated Deputy City Manager of Promotions and Events Terrie Banish. “It was a fun theme where everyone could take part, and the décor was amazing too.”

The dance took place at the Pavilion on the Lake and included a live DJ, dancing, decorations to match this year’s theme, and refreshments for the lovely father-daughter duos.

Friday night’s dance sold out a week in advance with 375 attendees, and Saturday night was close to selling out with over 350 guests.

Manuel Medina of Medina Light Show Designs was emcee for both nights and even got participants to form a conga line and kept the dance floor hopping. The evening also included a photo booth, prizes, and games.

“This is 100 percent the City of Atascadero putting on the event,” Banish added. “Sponsors who assisted were H&R Block of Atascadero, Guest House Grill, Sylvesters Burgers, All Signs & Graphics, and Medina Light Show Designs.” Atascadero also celebrated the month of love with their first Sip and Stroll event of the year on Friday, Feb. 3, downtown. The event featured local

“It looks like we’re going to be able to donate about $700 to them,” stated Sakaguchi. “Which based off of the numbers that they have on their website, I believe that’s eight months’ worth of meals for our senior citizens in our North County area. We are going to designate it to the Atascadero Senior Center location specifically.”

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City Planning

Barrel Creek Project Passes, Will Go Before City Council on Feb. 28

Tentative Tract Map for 10850 El Camino Real continued to Feb. 21 meeting

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Planning Commission met virtually for the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. Chairperson Jeff van den Eikhof was not present for the meeting.

The Consent Calendar passed unanimously and contained the Home Depot Center Phase II Entitlement Time Extension at 940 El Camino Real. On Jan. 15, 2019, The Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit DEV18-0073 with Resolution PC 2019-0001.

A first-time extension was applied for on Nov. 5, 2020, and expired Dec. 3, 2022. Approving the resolution included in the Consent Calendar extends the conditional use permit by one year for an amendment to the Home Depot Center Master Plan of Development (CUP 2000-0014) to allow a hotel where two retail buildings were previously approved. The Planning Commission then held a Public Hearing for the 10850 LLC Vesting Tentative Tract Map for 10850 El Camino Real. Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore gave the presentation. The parcel is in a multi-family zone at the south end of El Camino Real, between El Camino Real and Highway 101.

“Originally, it was 2017 when this got approved. It was actually a planned development, which means the property actually got re-zoned,” Dunsmore said. “Then they got a map approved at the same time to lay out this subdivision so each property could be individually owned. That map actually expired in 2019, and just recently, this last year, they decided they wanted to