WASCO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting- March 26, 2007- 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Brown at 7:01 P.M.
FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION led by Chairman Brown.
Roll Call
Present: Chairman Brown, Commissioners: Drescher, Forrest, German, Mitchell, and Santillan.
Absent: Commissioner Arredondo
Staff: Planning Director Woodcock, Senior Planner McNamara,
and Administrative Assistant Lacey Jones.
4. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS - NONE
5. 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
6. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS- None
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
b) Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 12, 2007
Approval of item 7b to be removed and placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting agenda.
Commissioner Santillan moved to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS – POLICY ITEMS
a) Conditional Use Permit- 07-01 and Resolution- Project: The construction of a sixty five (65) room hotel. Location: Approximately one quarter of a mile west of the southwest corner of the intersection of Highway 46 and Central Avenue; APN: 488-010-01 and 05; CEQA Determination: Categorically exempt per section 15183; Applicant: Forte Wasco Hotel, LLC
Chairman Brown opened public hearing at 7:05 P.M.
Senior planner McNamara briefly spoke on the applicants request for Conditional Use Permit 07-01. The applicant is proposing to construct a sixty five (65) room La Quinta Inn and Suites. The project will be located approximately one quarter of a mile west of the southwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 46 and Central Avenue. The applicant would like to reduce the number of required parking spaces by 18 parking spaces. Staff recommends approval subject to conditions.
Commissioners discussed parking of big rigs, reduction in parking, and problems that may arise in the future. The Commission expressed concern that by reducing parking it would cause the traffic to overflow to the surrounding future businesses. Staff explained that mutual parking and access agreements would be required by all commercial development on the parcel.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 7:25 P.M.
Commissioner Santillan motioned to approve Conditional Use Permit 07-01. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners Brown, Drescher, Forrest, German, Mitchell, and Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Arredondo
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of Resolution 07-13 - Conditional Use Permit 07-01 as amended.
Resolution 07-13 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the matter of the application Forte - Wasco Hotel, LLC, for Conditional Use Permit 07-01 a proposal to construct a sixty five (65) room hotel on Assessor’s Parcel Number
488-010-01 and 488-010-05.
b) 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 from March 12, 2007. Continued to April 9, 2007.
c) 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 from March 12, 2007.
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:29 P.M.
Planning Director Woodcock reported on staff’s recommendation to include a new definition for Dwelling Unit and Single Family Dwelling Units to prohibit more than one kitchen in the City of Wasco’s Zoning Ordinance.
Commissioners’ questioned the relevance of this topic. They wanted to know if this item is a current problem or if Staff foresees this item as a future problem.
Planning Director Woodcock explained that developers have approached the Planning staff about placing more than one kitchen in a home.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 7:41 P.M.
Commissioner German motioned to approve the Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-04- definition for both dwelling unit and single family dwellings, to be included in the City of Wasco’s Zoning Ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioners Brown, Drescher, Forrest, German, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Arredondo
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of Resolution 07-14- Zone Ordinance 07-04 as amended.
Resolution 07-14- 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.
d) 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 from March 12, 2007.
Chairperson Brown opened up the public hearing at 7:42 P.M.
Planning Director Woodcock reported on Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-05. Staff recommends that subsection 17.03 be amended to include the definition for summer/outdoor kitchens in the City of Wasco’s Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of the definition is to define what a summer/outdoor kitchen is and to allow them as an accessory use.
There was a brief discussion among the commissioners discussing what exactly a cooking unit is and what about expensive equipment.
Senior Planner McNamara suggested that the definition be revised stating that detached summer/outdoor kitchens can be enclosed and attached summer/outdoor kitchens cannot be enclosed.
Commissioner Brown closed the public hearing at 7:51 P.M.
Commissioner German motioned to approve the Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-05 with the revised definition. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
Revised Definition to read: Summer/Outdoor Kitchens- An accessory kitchen located in the rear or side yard. The kitchen may include all of the following: stove, grill, pizza oven, sink, storage areas, refrigerator, dish washer, and/or other appliances normally found in a kitchen. The kitchen may be either open to the air or included in a covered patio area. Under no circumstances shall a summer/outdoor kitchen area be fully enclosed unless the patio is detached from the dwelling unit.
AYES: Commissioner Brown, Drescher, Forrest, German, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Arredondo
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of Resolution 07-15- Zone Ordinance Amendment 07-05 as amended.
Resolution 07-15- 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.
e) 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 from March 12, 2007. Continued to April 9, 2007
9. MINUTE MOTION ITEMS
a) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Approval of Site Plan for Tortilleria Santa Cruz at 1120 7th Street. Continued from March 12, 2007.
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:52 P.M.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the request of the applicant Tortilleria Santa Cruz to relocate the trailer located in the front on the property. The trailer will be modified to insure that it will not be on any public rights-of-way and the appearance will be altered to match the existing building façade.
Dino Calderon resident of 909 Birch Avenue, the owner of the project, stated that he is willing to make any necessary changes to be in compliance for the project approval.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 8:00 PM
Commissioner Brown moved to approve the motion. Seconded by Commissioner German. All in favor, motion carried.
AYES: Commissioner Brown, Drescher, Forrest, German, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Arredondo
b) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Traditional Neighborhood Development. Continued from March 12, 2007.
Planning Director Woodcock presented a PowerPoint presentation on Traditional Neighborhood Development and new concepts of development that are different from sprawl based suburban subdivisions. The traditional neighborhood concept would provide a pedestrian friendly atmosphere, mixed land use, and provide more open space than a conventional subdivision. The Doe Mill Project in Chico, CA handout was presented to the commission to display the garages in the back of houses providing a street-like alley. Staff proposes that the Planning Commission to also consider these alternative subdivision designs for future use.
There was a brief discussion among Commissioners concerning the incentive for developers, Zoning Ordinance, and smaller lot sizes.
It was the consensus of the Commission to have staff bring this item back for further discussion after refinements.
c) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Minimum size for new residential projects.
Continued from March 12, 2007.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the minute motion re: minimum size for new residential projects. The intent would be to eliminate the four wall approach and create an appearance things more open.
Commissioners comment on how they like the idea and how we should look in more on the idea in the future.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
Commissioner German commented on the League of California Cities Planning Conference in San Diego stating that it was very informative and he was very appreciative of the invitation.
Commissioner Brown asked if it would possible for the other Commissioners to get a chance to go to the upcoming event this fall.
Planning Director Woodcock stated that more training will be provided as the budget allows.
11. ADJOURNMENT-
Commissioner Santillan moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner German. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 P.M.
Minutes approved April 9, 2007
Keith Woodcock, Planning Director
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