WASCO PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
March 12, 2007– 7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER by Chairperson Brown at 7:00 P.M.
2. FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION led by Chairperson Brown.
PRESENT: Chairperson Brown, Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, and Forrest; ABSENT: Commissioner German, Mitchell, and Santillan
Also present: Planning Director Woodcock, Senior Planner McNamara, Associate Planner Manry, Assistant Planner Jaquez, and Administrative Assistant Lacey Jones.
5. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS - NONE
6. HEARING FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA – this portion of the meeting is reserved for persons desiring to address the commission on any matter not on this agenda and over which the commission has jurisdiction. Speakers are limited to two (2) minutes. Please state your name and address for the record before making presentation. NONE
7. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS-None
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Minutes February 12, 2007
b) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner Drescher moved to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Arredondo. All in favor, motion carried.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS – POLICY ITEMS
a) TENTATIVE TRACT 6449 Phases 2 and 3 Extension Request and Resolution- A request to extend Tentative Tract 6449 Phases 2 and 3. Location: Southwest corner of the intersection of Central Avenue and 7th Street; APN: 488-260-01,02; CEQA Determination: Categorically exempt; Applicant Porter Robertson Engineering, Inc./Ennis Land Development, LLC
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:05 P.M.
Senior Planner McNamara reports on the applicant’s one year extension request for Tentative Tract 6449 Phases 2 and 3. The project is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Central Avenue and 7th Street. Staff recommends approval. Rolland Van de Valk, Porter Robertson Engineering, stated that Phases 2 and 3 are in the process of being recorded.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 7:10 P.M.
Commissioner Forrest moved to approve Tentative Tract 6449 Phases 2 and 3 Extension. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commmisioners German, Mitchell, Santillan
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of the Resolution 07-10 - One year extension of Tentative Tract 6449 Phases 2 and 3.
Resolution 07-10 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the matter of the application of Ennis Land Development LLC for a one year extension of Tentative Tract 6449 Phases 2 and 3.
b) Zone Variance 07-02 and Resolution- Zone variance to allow an encroachment of four and a half (4 ½) feet into one side of each parcel’s side yard setback. Location: Eighteen parcels within El Dorado Estates located north of Poplar Ave., at 1750 Poplar Avenue., Wasco,CA 93280; APN:489-171-02,04,07,08,12,14, 489-172-01,06,07,08,09,10,11,12,13,14,16,17; Applicant: Timothy Cox
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:13 P.M.
Assistant Planner Jaquez gave a thorough PowerPoint presentation on the applicants request to allow an encroachment of four and a half (4 ½) feet into one side of each parcel’s side yard setback. This project is located at 1750 Poplar Avenue. Staff recommends approval.
Rebecca Smith resident of 1510 Isabel Road Bakersfield, CA, co-owner of the properties, presented PowerPoint illustrating and explaining the lot layout.
Bob Clark resident of 650 F Street Wasco, CA, is the property owner of lot#14 in the project’s site vicinity, voiced his concern of his lot being enclosed by the proposed zone variance.
Miguel Raya resident of 1750 El Dorado Estates Wasco, CA comments on the concerns of adjacent homeowners, Lots #10,11,12,17,and 18. Commissioner Arredondo interpreted and responded to homeowners that the encroachment will not affect their property.
Esla Martinez resident of 1750 Poplar lot #17 Wasco, CA concerned about the lights within the property and debris. Commissioner Arredondo translated that their concerns will be answered through Public Works and/or Planning and the discussion at hand is in regards to the zone variance.
Planning Director Woodcock comments on how he would like to invite neighboring properties to meet with Planning Staff to answer their questions and provide feedback with regards to their concerns.
There was discussion on the concerns for existing residents, and off-street parking. The Commissioners stated that they were impressed with the applicant’s fast approach to make improvements to the project.
Chairperson Brown closed public hearing at 7:43 P.M.
After a brief discussion, a condition was added stating that prior to any site plan approvals, the applicant shall meet with the adjacent property owners of the said parcels being described as Zone Variance 07-02 to discuss building locations.
Commissioner Brown moved to approve Zone Variance 07-02 and to add the above condition. Seconded by Commissioner Arredondo. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: German, Mitchell, Santillan
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of the Resolution 07-11- Zone Variance 07-02.
Resolution 07-11 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the matter of the application of Timothy Cox, for Zone Variance 07-02, a proposal to encroach four and a half (4 ½) feet into one side of each parcel’s side yard setback.
c) Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-02(a) and Resolution- An amendment to the following sections of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance Section 17.73.14(B) Yard Encroachments Table 17-4 Residential Zone Development Standards. This amendment will allow for a twenty foot front yard setback for new construction. CEQA Determination: Categorically exempt per Section 15061(b)(3), the General Rule, of the California Environmental Quality Act; Applicant: City of Wasco
Chairperson Brown opened public hearing at 7:51 P.M.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on staff’s proposal to allow a twenty foot front yard setback for new construction. He stated the positive impacts: less front yard maintenance, larger backyards resulting in more recreational space, and pedestrian friendly streetscape by decreasing the distance from the back of the sidewalk to the front house. Negative impacts include: Shorter drive ways which may lead to possible sidewalk obstructions.
Chairperson Brown closed public hearing at 7:56 P.M.
Commissioner Forrest moved to approve Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-02(a). Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: German, Mitchell, Santillan
Senior Planner McNamara read the title and Resolution 07-12 – Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-02(a).
Resolution 07-12 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the matter of the application of the City of Wasco for a text amendment to the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance- Yard Encroachments.
Planning Director Woodcock recommended that Minute Motion Item (d) be placed after Item C.
Commissioner Brown moved to approve recommendation. Seconded by Commissioner Arredondo. All in favor, motion carried.
d) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Approval of implementation of the BEGIN Program
Chairperson Brown opened the up the public hearing at 7:59 P.M.
Yvette Litten, Housing Rehabilitation Specialist, discussed with the Planning Commission of what the BEGIN program is, what types of regulatory relief it presents, and its benefits to the City. She explained that the program offers grants to cities for down-payment assistance to first-time homeowners with low and moderate incomes.
Commissioners commented on the merits of the program and how beneficial it will be to Wasco. The Commission determined that the incentives that the City could offer would include an increase in the number of units that may be permitted. However, the Commission was concerned about offering a reduction in parking space or fees.
Chairperson Brown closed public hearing at 8:15 P.M.
Chairperson Brown moved to approve motion. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Arredondo stated that she needed to leave the meeting because of another commitment.
Prior to Commissioner Arredondo’s leaving, Planning Director Woodcock requested that the remaining items on the agenda (listed below) be continued to a Special Meeting on March 26, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.. The Planning Commission then passed a motion to hear the items at a Special Meeting to be held on March 26, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.
Commissioner Arredondo then left the meeting at 8:19 P.M., causing the quorum to be less than four.
Items continued to Special Meeting on March 26, 2007:
e) Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-03 and Resolution- Amendment to the following section of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance: Section 17.19.01 to replace existing subsection pertaining to secondary dwelling units in order to bring it into conformance with State Law; CEQA Determination- categorically exempt per Section 15061 (b)(3), the General Rule, of the California Environmental Quality Act. Applicant: City of Wasco (Continued to Special Meeting on March 26, 2007)
f) Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-04 and Resolution- Amendment to the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance: Section 17.03 Definitions to include new Definitions for Dwelling Unit and Dwelling-Single Family. These amendments will help clarify that only a single kitchen is allowed in a single family dwelling unit; CEQA Determination- categorically exempt per Section 15061 (b)(3), the General Rule, of the Californian Environmental Quality Act; Applicant: City of Wasco. (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
g) Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-05 and Resolution- Amendment to the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance: Section 17.03 Definitions to include a new definition for summer kitchens/outdoor kitchens. CEQA Determination- categorically exempt per Section 15061 (b)(3), the General Rule, of the California Environmental Quality Act. Applicant: City of Wasco. (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
h) Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-06 and Resolution- Amendment to the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance: Section 17.03 Definitions to include a definition of Casita; CEQA Determination- categorically exempt per Section 15061 (b)(3), the General Rule, of the California Environmental Quality Act. Applicant: City of Wasco (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
10. MINUTE MOTION ITEMS
a) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Approval of Site Plan for Tortilleria Santa Cruz at 1120 7th Street (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
b) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Traditional Neighborhood Development (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
c) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Minimum size for new residential projects
(Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007)
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Approved City Council Minutes for review (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007).
b) City of Temecula’s Commercial Design Standards (Continued to Special Meeting March 26, 2007).
12. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Planning Director Woodcock reported that at the next meeting he would speak on the concept of Traditional Neighborhood Development and how the concept ties in with the discussion on the BEGIN program.
He also mentioned the upcoming League of California Cities Planning Conference
March 21- March 23 in San Diego.
Planning Director also updated the commission on the Kern COG workshop that will be coming up on March 28.
13. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Brown commented on how he would like the community to come and give their views on how Wasco should be.
Planning Director Woodcock stated that he would look into placing an advertisement in the paper inviting residents of Wasco to come and express their opinions.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Drescher moved to adjourn meeting. Seconded by Forrest. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 P.M.
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Minutes approved April 9, 2007
Keith Woodcock, Planning Director
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