WASCO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 14, 2005 – 7:00 P.M.
1. Chairperson Brown opened the regular Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 P.M.
2&3. Chairperson Brown offered flag salute and Invocation.
4. Present: Chairperson Brown, Arredondo, Santillan, Steward, Voth.
Absent: Commissioners Hunt and Mitchell.
Also present: Acting Planning Director Leonard, Associate Planner McNamara, and Secretary Rodriguez.
5. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
6. HEARING FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
7. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Minutes for February 14, 2005 meeting
b) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner Voth moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Steward. All in favor, motion carried.
9. MINUTE MOTION ITEMS – NONE
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Policy items
a) Conditional Use Permit #05-01 and Resolution: To allow construction of a fourteen-unit apartment complex located in a Commercial Office Zone. Located southwest corner of 7th Street and Birch Avenue in the City of Wasco, California. Applicant: E and J Construction, 402 Balboa Ave., Delano, CA 93215
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Associate Planner McNamara reported on the applicant’s request for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a fourteen unit apartment complex located in a Commercial Office Zone. The apartment complex will be dispersed between two buildings one approximately 2,135 sq. feet and the other being approximately 5,600 sq. ft., both of which will be two stories in height. Each apartment will have two bedrooms, one bathroom with laundry hook ups and will be approximately 950 sq. ft. Staff recommends approval of Conditional Use Permit 05-01 with the conditions listed.
Mr. Joe Soto is the contractor for the project and spoke briefly on the project. There was some discussion on fencing, egress and ingress on Birch Street, air conditioning unit’s ground level, landscaping, fencing, covered parking, play area and children’s safety, a BBQ area and tables, trash pickup and location of containers.
CONDITIONS AMENDED:
7. All mechanical equipment shall be ground mounted and screened from view and.
8. A wrought iron fence shall be constructed at the back of the sidewalk along 7th Street. Please submit fence detail to Planning Department for review and approval.
Dave Swisshelm, 1502 Sycamore stated his concerns if the project would create traffic problems. He lived in an old neighborhood. Questioned if a Traffic Study had been done. And if there would be fencing to keep the children inside the area.
Gordon Drescher 1420 7th Street stated he did not oppose the project. He did state that with apartments no commercial or professional businesses would be constructed leaving less area for commercial businesses.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 7:42 P.M.
Commissioner Steward moved to approve CUP 05-02 with the two amended conditions. Seconded by Commissioner Santillan. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners Brown, Arrendondo, Santillan, Steward, Voth
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Commissioners Hunt and Mitchell
Secretary Rodriguez read the title of Resolution 05-09.
RESOLUTION 05-09 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the Matter of the Application of E and J Construction for Conditional Use Permit 05-01
b) Tentative Tract #6451, Mitigated Negative Declaration and Resolution – Tentative Map for 68 lot single-family dwelling subdivision. Approximately one-quarter mile northwest of intersection of Leonard Avenue and Hwy. 46, Wasco, CA 93280. APN: 487-050-46. Applicant: Lotus Development, 2278 Trade Zone Blvd., San Jose, Ca 95131
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:46 P.M.
Associate Planner McNamara briefly reported on Tentative tract 6451 being a 68 lot detached single family subdivision. The project was previously mapped as Tentative Tract 5472, which was never recorded and therefore expired. Upon approval of Tract 5472, the previous developer commenced to put in improvements, which were never formally accepted by the City of Wasco. These improvements include: Streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, storm drain, sewer, water and dry utilities.
Mr. Jeff Guiterrez representing DeWalt Engineering and the applicant spoke briefly on the project. Mr. Guiterrez stated they were in agreement with the conditions set.
There was a brief discussion on the names of some of the streets and the commercial designation.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Condition #18 was added to the Planning Department recommendations:
Condition #18: The applicant is required to rename Olympic Close to Olympic Court.
Commissioner Santillan moved to approve Tentative Tract 6451, Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Resolution as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Voth.
All in favor, motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Brown, Arrendondo, Santillan, Steward, Voth
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Hunt and Mitchell
Secretary Rodriguez read the title of Resolution 05-10
RESOLUTION 05-10 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the Matter of the Application of Lotus Development for Tentative Tract 6451
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Approved City Council Minutes for review
b) Elaine Cogan’s Newsletter
c) Planning Commissioners Journal – Winter 2005
Director Leonard noted the information was available to the Commissioner on the state net site for the Planners Institute in Pasadena.
12. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S ITEMS
a) Follow up item to Final Tract Map 6308 – Director Leonard reported on the tract, stating that building permits had been pulled for all the lots.
13. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
14. ADJOURNMENT – Commissioner Steward moved to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Santillan. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:07 P.M.
PC Meeting 3 14 05
| 
