WASCO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 – 7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Campbell at 7:04 p.m.
2&3. Chairman Campbell led FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION.
4. Present: Chairman Campbell, Commissioners Arredondo, Mitchell, Santillan, Voth, Brown and Drescher.
Also present Director Woodcock, Senior Planner McNamara and acting Recording Secretary Krause.
5. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS – None.
6. HEARING FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA – None.
7. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS – Planning Director Woodcock requested Board consideration to add a minute action item to the agenda concerning Board recommendation of a representative to be appointed by the City Council to the Economic Development Committee.
Motion to approve agenda item addition made by Commissioner Voth and seconded by Commissioner Santillan. All in favor, motion carried.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner Santillan moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Brown. All in favor, motion carried.
9. MINUTE MOTION ITEMS –
a) The request of United Pentecostal Church of Wasco for a waiver from improving certain portions of their property along Filburn Avenue – Senior Planner McNamara explained the improvements required of the property owner and reported that this item had been continued from the last regular meeting since there had been no representative from the church present. Since there was again no church representative present, there was no action taken.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS – POLICY ITEMS
a) Conditional Use Permit 06-04 and Resolution – A 42 unit senior housing complex to be constructed on the eastside of Central Avenue directly behind the Kmart Shopping Center. Applicant: Wasco Affordable Housing, Inc.
Chairman Campbell opened the public hearing and Planning Director Woodcock reported that the proposed project would include the construction of a 42 unit senior housing complex on a 4.45 acre parcel, including a community building and covered parking for 48 vehicles.
Derrick Holsworth, representing the developer, answered questions about the type of construction materials proposed and stated that the City will provide design and street improvements for the project. Planning Director Woodcock clarified the improvements to be paid for by the City as the extension of Central Ave. in front of the project, to include curbing. He further stated that the underground improvements are the responsibility of the developer. Commissioner Voth questioned the City’s obligation to be responsible for any of the above mentioned improvements, to which Wookcock explained that due to the funding source of this project, costs incurred by the City would be reimbursed by available grants. Pat Newman, representing the applicant, answered questions concerning density bonus points,
which are not been requested by the applicant and informed the Board that this project qualifies for funding under the Workforce Housing Grant Program.
Chairman Campbell closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m.
There was discussion on possible landscaping around the proposed retention basin. Planning Director Woodcock explained that the drainage sump would be surrounded partially by a block wall with the rest of the area fenced.
Commissioner Brown made a motion to approve Conditional Use Permit 06-04. Seconded by Commissioner Santillan. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Chairman Campbell, Commissioners Arredondo, Santillan, Drescher, Brown, Mitchell and Voth.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of Resolution 06-30.
RESOLUTION 06-30 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the Matter of the Application of Wasco Affordable Housing for Conditional Use Permit 06-04 located approximately one eighth of a mile south of the southeast corner of the intersection of Highway 46 and Central Avenue.
b) CONTINUED - Zone Variance 06-03 and Resolution – A zone variance to allow for one 9,500 square foot lot to be split into two 4,740 square foot lots located at 1054 8th Place. Applicant – Nelms Surveying for Felix Oropreza
Chairman Campbell re-opened the public hearing. Planning Director Woodcock reported that the applicant was still not ready to have this item considered by the Commission. Mr. Woodcock requested, on behalf of the applicant, this item be pulled. There were no comments from the public. Chairman Campbell closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Commissioner Santillan moved to pull Zone Variance 06-03. Seconded by Commissioner Brown. All in favor, motion carried.
c) Agenda Item Addition: Planning Commission recommendation for commissioner representative to the Economic Development Committee – Planning Director Woodcock explained the expectations of this appointment and gave some informative background on the Economic Development Committee’s role and purpose. Following discussion, a motion to recommend Commissioner Arredondo was made by Commissioner Santillan with a second by Commissioner Brown. All in favor, motion carried.
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Approved City Council Minutes for review
12. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Planning Director Woodcock reported that the City Council recently approved the retention of consulting firm URS for planning services needed in order to deal with the increased work load.
Woodcock also informed the Commission that the interview process for an associate planner and a planning technician had begun.
13. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Arredondo asked about apparent delays in repair and maintenance of Highway 46, including the installation of the traffic light at Griffith Avenue. Planning Director Woodcock explained the City’s frustration with CalTrans timelines and lack of urgency concerning the traffic light project. Commissioner Santillan suggested that our state elected officials be notified and urged to use their clout in order to expedite the projects if possible.
Commissioner Santillan asked for an update on the health of Secretary Rodriguez following surgery and inquired as to when she might return. Planning Director Woodcock stated that she is doing well and might return in late September or early October.
14. ADJOURNMENT – Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Santillan. All in favor, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
PC meeting September 06
| 
