CITY OF WASCO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
December 10, 2007– 7:00 P.M.
746 8th Street, Wasco, California
CALL TO ORDER by Chairperson Santillan at 7:02 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION led by Chairperson Santillan
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Santillan; Commissioners Arredondo; Drescher; Forrest; Mitchell
Absent: Commissioners German
Staff: Planning Director Raper; Senior Planner McNamara; Secretary Lopez
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.
7. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS - NONE
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approve Minutes of October 8, 2007
b) Approve Minutes of Special Meeting October 29, 2007
c) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner Drescher made a motion to read all Resolutions by title only. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. All in favor. Motion carried.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS – POLICY ITEMS
a) Continued Public Hearing Date from December 10, 2007 to February 11, 2008 for Planning Commission Hearing and continued Public Hearing Date from December 18,2007 to February 19, 2008 City Council Hearing for the Rose City Industrial Park Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2006061124) and Public Hearing for Entitlements including General Plan Amendment by designating the area as Heavy Industrial and amending certain policies within the General Plan as well as amending the Circulation Element of the General Plan; Prezone (to redesignate) the area as Heavy Industrial – Planned Development,
amendment to the City’s Sphere of Influence, Annexation of the project site, non-summary vacation of Wasco Road for Rail Spur, and approval of a Precise Development Plan for an Ethanol Plant proposed by Rose City Renewables LLC.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Director Raper asked the Planning Commission to continue the public hearing to allow the City time to complete the analysis of any findings and mitigation measures.
Walt Desatoff of Malofy Farms – 15850 Wasco Avenue questioned the wording of the staff report and if information would be given to the public in a timely manner for review. He also asked if there would still be two separate Ethanol Plant applications or if it would only be one. Director Raper explained the need for the different amendments to the General Plan; the Sphere of Influence will include the 560 square foot area that needs to be annexed. Also, Director Raper explained that only one Ethanol Plant application had been received the second applicant is waiting for the completion of the Environmental Impact Report. Director Raper stated that as soon as the City had any information on the EIR it would be released to the public.
Commissioner Arredondo moved to continue the Public Hearing to February 11, 2008 Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Chairperson Santillan continued the Public Hearing at 7: 11 p.m.
b) General Plan Amendment 07-04 and Resolution - A proposed amendment amending the City of Wasco’s Circulation Map of the General Plan as it relates to designated truck routes. Applicant: City of Wasco.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:12 PM.
Senior Planner McNamara gave reported on General Plan Amendment 07-04. Amending the City of Wasco’s Circulation Map of the General Plan as it relates to designated truck routes.
Commissioner Forrest questioned the definition of the word trucks and how do we distinguish between the various types of trucks. Senior Planner McNamara explained what types of trucks this proposed amendment pertained to and Director Raper explained that the vehicle code establishes the weight limit constituting trucks.
Chairperson Santillan closed the public hearing at 7:19 PM.
Commissioner Forrest made a motion to approve General Plan Amendment 07-04. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. All in favor. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Resolution 07-47 - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the application of the City of Wasco amending the City of Wasco’s Circulation Map of the General Plan as it relates to designated truck routes.
c) Proposed Amendment to Title 12 and Resolution - Streets, Sidewalks and Public Safety of the City of Wasco Municipal Code and more specifically to Section 12.04.060 to establish a threshold as to when to require the repair and/or installation of curb, gutter and sidewalks. Applicant: City of Wasco
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:20 PM.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the Proposed Amendment to Title 12 of the Municipal Code as it pertains to curb, gutter and sidewalk, explaining the discrepancy between the Municipal Code and Zoning Ordinance and this would make the two coincide with each other.
Chairperson Santillan asked how the 25% value is assessed and who figures this value. Senior Planner McNamara explained how the 25% is calculated based on the valuation of the permit by the building department.
Chairperson Santillan closed the public hearing at 7:26 PM.
Commissioner Drescher made a motion to approve Amendment to Title 12 of the City of Wasco Municipal Code. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. All in favor. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Resolution 07-56 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the application of the City of Wasco amending Title 12, Streets, Sidewalks and Public Safety of the City of Wasco Municipal Code and more specifically to Section 12.04.060 to establish a threshold as to when to require the repair and/or installation of curb, gutter and sidewalks.
d) Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 07-14 and Resolution - Proposed Amendment to Title 17, Zoning of the City of Wasco Municipal Code and more specifically to Section 17.60.08(E) to restrict the number of residential drive approaches, Section 17.19.01(N) to restrict the area of the front yard setback that can be covered by non-porous surfaces and regulate fence type and Section 17.51.01 to require property improvements upon reaching a certain percentage of assessed value of the property and regulate fence type. Applicant: City of Wasco
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing 7:27 PM.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 07-14 restricting the number of drive approaches allowed in residential areas, the area of front yard setbacks covered by non-porous surfaces, fence type and property improvements upon reaching a certain percentage of assessed value he explained the need for the amendment due to the discrepancies in the ordinances.
Questions were raised by the Commissioners on existing ordinances on the books as to drive approaches and existing chain link fencing, Senior Planner McNamara stated that only for new residential not existing, we do not force existing residences to pave unless they are improving the property also existing residential areas with chain link fencing can remain until such time as the fence is replaced at that time they may not replace it with chain link, on new residential areas chain link is not allowed.
Commissioner Drescher asked about the 40%, if the property owner stays within that percentage can they do what they want on their property and if circular driveways would be allowed. Director Raper explained that the property owners would not be allowed to do anything that does not follow the ordinance; he also explained that at this time the ordinance only allows for one drive approach however, this could be looked into further to see if there could be any allowances.
Chairperson Santillan closed the public hearing at 7:50 PM.
Commissioner Forrest made a motion to approve Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 07-14 with a maximum 40% required setback for off street parking and 10% maximum paved for walkways or uncovered patio use. Seconded by Commissioner Arredondo. All in favor. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Resolution 07-57 – A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco in the application of the City of Wasco amending Title 17, Zoning of the City of Wasco Municipal Code and more specifically to Section 17.06.08(E) to restrict the number of residential drive approaches, Section 17.19.01(N) to restrict the area of the front yard setback that can be covered by non-porous surfaces limited to 40% to include driveways and 10% for walkways and regulate fence type and Section 17.51.01 to require property improvements upon reaching a certain percentage of assessed value of the property and regulate fence type.
e) Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 07-12 and Resolution - Proposed Amendment to Title 6, Animals, Sections 6.04.010 and 6.04.300 and Title 17, Zoning, Section 17.79.01 it pertains to the definition of fowl and establishing regulations as it relates to keeping fowl in the City of Wasco. Applicant: City of Wasco.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:53 PM
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the amendment to the ordinance and the definitions of fowl.
After lengthy discussion by Commissioners on ways to allow fowl with requirements for the care and penning of chickens but not allowing roosters it was decided to continue the public hearing until the January 14, 2008 regular Planning Commission meeting to allow staff time for further research.
Commissioner Drescher made a motion to continue the public hearing on Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 07-12 to January 14, 2008. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. All in favor. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Arredondo, Drescher, Forrest, Mitchell, Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner German
Chairperson Santillan continued the Public Hearing at 8:20 p.m.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
New Planning Commissioner is Dwayne Hutson; his first meeting will be January 14.
11. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Update on CalTrans meeting, commended Dennis McNamara and Stacie Lopez on their performance, update on Traffic Study for Best Western, asked if Commission would like a status report added to the agenda updating status of projects.
12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Forrest asked about Durando property. Commissioner Santillan asked about the need for so many special meetings on projects. Staff reported they would look into the Durando property further. Director Raper explained the need for special meetings based on the needs of Developers.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Forrest made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.
Jake Raper, Planning Director
Minutes Approved
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