WASCO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
May 14, 2007– 7:00 P.M.
746 8th Street, Wasco, California
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Brown at 7:13 PM
FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION led by Chairman Brown
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Brown, Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell and Santillan.
Absent: Commissioner German
Staff: Acting Planning Director Huff, Senior Planner McNamara, Associate Planner Patricia Manry, and Administrative Assistant Lacey Jones
5. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
Senior Planner McNamara introduced Nancy Huff as the new Planning Director.
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 April 9, 2007
b) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner Santillan moved to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor, motion carried.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS – POLICY ITEMS
a) Conditional Use Permit 07-03 and Resolution- A proposal to locate an automobile service business within the Historic Downtown Wasco Overlay District (H).. Location: 625 F Street (Firestone Building Center), Wasco, CA; APN: 030-120-03, Applicant: Alfredo Quintero
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 7:16 PM
Associate Planner Patricia Manry gave a PowerPoint presentation for the applicants request to locate an automobile repair shop in the Historic Downtown Overlay District. The proposed project is located at 625 F Street, previously being the Firestone Building Complex. The applicants request is to relocate his existing automobile shop from 311 F Street into the old Firestone Building. The services will include auto electric, brake repair, fuel injection services and other automobile repairs. To bring the location up to State code, certain conditions of approval must be satisfied before approving. The project is not consistent with the General Plan, Zoning, and Historic Overlay District.
Staff recommends denial of this project.
Discussion was held amongst Commissioners regarding daily trips the alley services. Also the alley use and surrounding parking was not designed for the proposed routing, and new building use.
Commissioner Arredondo states that she feels that it is a strange location to place the repair shop considering its surrounding stores. She translates in Spanish to the applicant.
Javier Carabavin, owner of Dreams Boutique, comments that the building has always been an automobile repair shop and that the applicant is proposing to bring it up to code. He states that the service bay is located behind the building and that nothing abnormal is being asked.
Eleazar Mendoza, owner of 615 F Street, states that he is willing to work with the City to bring the building up to code.
Alfredo Quintero, tenant, 311 F Street, states that he has to be out of his current location by July.
Commissioners comment that they feel that the landowner isn’t aware of the conditions that are being asked by the Planning Staff to bring the building up to state code.
Commissioner Santillan states that this may not be the best business but the applicant will visually enhance the building.
Commissioner Forrest moved to deny Conditional Use Permit 07-03. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell
NOES: Commissioner Santillan
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Senior McNamara read the title of the Resolution as denied.
b) Zone Variance 07-03 and Resolution- A zone variance to allow a 1 foot variance on the height requirement, an increase of 10 square feet in gross area and allow for an LED Display. Location: 2300 7th Street, Wasco, CA; APN: 488-010-28; Applicant: Central California Foundation for Health.
Chairperson Brown opened the public hearing at 8:21 PM
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the applicants request for a Zone Variance to allow a 1 foot variance on the height requirement, an increase of 10 square feet in gross area and allow for an LED Display. The project is located at 2300 7th Street. Staff recommends approval, upon satisfying the two conditions of approval requested.
Commissioners question if both English/Spanish will be included on the sign, and if the sign will be on 24 hours a day.
Joe Aguirre, 2218 Via Deling, Delano, CA, director of Delano Regional Medical center responds that they are willing to do what the Planning Commission suggests.
Michael Tafoya, Vital Signs, resident of 401 Locust Street Bakersfield, CA, showed examples of how the sign will look.
Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing at 8:33 PM
Commissioner Arredondo moved to approve Zone Variance 07-03. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, and Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of the Resolution 07-18- Zone Variance 07-03.
Resolution 07-18- A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the matter of the application of Central California Foundation for Health, for Zone Variance 07-03, a proposal for an additional two (2) feet in height, ten (10) square feet in area and the installation of a LED board.
10. MINUTE MOTION ITEMS
A drawing was held at 8:34 PM between 3 commissioners Arredondo, Drescher, and Santillan because they had a conflict, and without the drawing a quorum would not take place.
Commissioners Arredondo, Drescher, and Santillan recused themselves because of a conflict.
After the drawing was held, Commissioner Drescher’s name was chosen to stay.
a) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Redevelopment Agency expansion plan and amendment.
Ron Mittag, Assistant City Manager, introduced Richard Tilbert of Urban Futures, who would be introducing the project. Mr. Tilbert introduced the proposed 2007 Amendment adoption to the Planning Commission for the Redevelopment Plan for the Wasco Redevelopment Project. This project would conform to the City of Wasco General Plan.
There was brief discussion among the Commissioners.
Chairperson Brown closed the hearing at 9:00 PM
Commissioner Brown moved to approve the resolution and forward to City Council the Redevelopment Agency expansion plan. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner: Brown, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
ABSTAIN: Commissioners: Arredondo, Santillan
Senior Planner McNamara read the title of the Resolution 07-19- Redevelopment Plan for the Wasco Redevelopment Project.
Commissioners Arredondo and Santillan returned at 9:00 PM
b) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Associate Planner Manry reported on staff’s proposal to adopt a bicycle plan. Staff has tried to require developers to put in bike paths but hasn’t been able to succeed due to the fact that an adopted bicycle plan is not in place. Manry asked for direction from the Planning Commission on updating the Bicycle Plan and adding a Pedestrian Element. She also asks the Commissioners views on if the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan perform in house or if an oversight committee needs to be created.
Commissioners question if there currently are any bicycle paths at this time, grants, and how it is not necessary to have an oversight committee.
Commissioner Santillan moved to approve the minute motion item regarding Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Arredondo. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Brown, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, and Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
There was brief discussion among commissioners.
No Action was taken.
c) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: General Plan Issues
Associate Planner Manry reported to the Commission on staff’s recommendation of updating the General Plan and makes it more user- friendly and readable. Staff would like to join all the elements into a standardized General Plan document. Manry also stated that according to a law passed by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District we are required to include the Air Quality Element to the General Plan. By combining all the elements it will make it easier for developers to see what the City requires.
There was a brief discussion among commissioners.
No action was taken.
d) Report and Possible Minute Motion re: Appointing a Commissioner to serve on the Housing Element Update Committee.
Associate Planner Manry reported that a Commissioner needed to be appointed to serve on the Housing Element Update Committee. An advisory committee is being used to oversee the project.
Commissioner Forrest questions the time constraint that is going to be involved by volunteering.
Planning Director Huff responded that the information will be obtained and available for review at the next Planning Commission meeting.
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Approved City Council Minutes for review
12. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORTS- None
13. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Arredondo commented on putting a stoplight on the corner of Poso and Highway 43.
Commissioner Forrest commented on Denny’s and the proposed hotels that have been brought before the Planning Commission and how he feels a staff report would be beneficial so the Commission could see the progress.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Santillan moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:29 PM
Minutes approved July 6, 2007
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Dennis McNamara, Senior Planner
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