CITY OF WASCO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2008- 7:00 P.M.
746 8th Street, Wasco, California
CALL TO ORDER by Chairperson Santillan at 7:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE and INVOCATION led by Chairperson Santillan
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Santillan; Commissioner Drecsher; Commissioner Elholm; Commissioner Forrest; Commissioner German; Commissioner Hutson; Commissioner Lawrence
Absent: None
Staff: Community Development Director Johnon; Senior Planner McNamara; Secretary Lopez;
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. NONE
7. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS - NONE
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Minutes for August 11, 2008 regular meeting.
b) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner German made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Drescher. All in favor. Motion Carried
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - POLICY ITEMS
a) APPEAL 08-02 Appeal of the Planning Director's Decision by Carol V. Hamilton, DC
regarding the denial of a sign that exceeds the allowable size for a wall sign in the
C-D (Central District) also known as the City of Wasco Historic Overlay District as
per the Zoning Ordinance Section 17.22.11.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the appeal Appeal of the Planning Director's Decision by Carol V. Hamilton, DC regarding the denial of a sign that exceeds the allowable size for a wall sign in the C-D (Central District) also known as the City of Wasco Historic Overlay District as per the Zoning Ordinance Section 17.22.11. Staff recommended denial of the appeal.
Questions were brought up by Commissioners on existing signs and the process of changing the sign ordinance. Senior Planner McNamara explained how the existing signs were approved. Director Johnson explained that the City is trying to obtain a grant to change the sign ordinance.
Commissioners also asked how this could be sent to the City Council to hear.
Dr. Carol Hamilton - 1241 7th Street, Wasco - Stated that Dr. Kim had been given 30 days to remove his sign and asked if she would be able to have a temporary sign.
Commission stated that she could meet with staff to determine that.
Chairperson Santillan closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Commissioner Hutson made a motion to disapprove the appeal of the Planning Director's Decision by Carol V. Hamilton, DC regarding the denial of a sign that exceeds the allowable size for a wall sign in the C-D (Central District) also known as the City of Wasco Historic Overlay District as per the Zoning Ordinance Section 17.22.11 and recommending the appeal be heard by the City Council with the additional recommendation that the sign ordinance be amended. Seconded by Commissioner German. Motion was denied with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson; Lawrence; Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Secretary Lopez read the Resolution by title - Resolution 08-37 - A Resolution of the City of Wasco Planning Commission disapproving the appeal of Carol V. Funk Hamilton to sustain the Planning Department's decision for a wall sign located at 1241 7th Street, Wasco, CA APN# 029-310-03 and recommending the appeal be heard by City Council with an additional recommendation to amend the sign ordinance.
b) General Plan Amendment 08-03/Zone Change 08-05- The application of Luis Becerra for a change in the General Plan Designation from Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential, a change in the Zoning Classification from R-2 Medium Density Residential to R-3 High Density Residential for the following APN's 488-151-02, 488-151-03, 488-151-05, 488-151-06, 488-151-07, 488-151-08, 488-151-09 and 488-151-10, located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and 7th Street and accompanying Notice of Exemption.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
Chairperson Santillan recused himself due to the proximity of his residence to the area.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the application of Luis Becerra for a change in the General Plan Designation from Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential, a change in the Zoning Classification from R-2 Medium Density Residential to R-3 High Density Residential for the following APN's 488-151-02, 488-151-03, 488-151-05, 488-151-06, 488-151-07, 488-151-08, 488-151-09 and 488-151-10, located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and 7th Street and accompanying Notice of Exemption. Staff recommended approval.
Lengthy discussion by Commissioners on water and sewer effects and voiced concerns on changing the density of the zoning. Senior Planner McNamara explained the onsite retention which would be required.
Marlene Swan - 700 Holly Tree Lane, Wasco - voiced her concerns about the project.
David Lucas - 2640 Silvertree Lane, Wasco - voiced his concerns about the project.
Richard Sharp - 3511 Union Avenue, Bakersfield - spoke in favor of the project and explained the reason for the request.
Alejandro Esquivel - 2660 Silvertree Lane - voiced his concerns about the project.
Charles Santillan - 701 Redwood, Wasco - voiced his concerns about the project.
Discussion by Commissioners on the aesthetics of the project and the accessibility of the project, also questions were asked about parking.
After lengthy discussions Vice Chairperson Drescher closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m.
Commissioner German made a motion to disapprove the General Plan Amendment 08-03. Seconded by Commissioner Elholm. Motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson; Lawrence;
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Secretary Lopez read the Resolution by title - Resolution 08-38 - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco recommending disapproval of General Plan Amendment 08-03 to the City Council, Changing the General Plan Land Use designation from medium density residential to high density residential for Assessor Parcel Number 488-151-02, 488-151-03, 488-151-05, 488-151-06, 488-151-07, 488-151-08, 488-151-09 and 488-151-10 as shown in Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Accompanying Notice of Exemption.
Vice Chairperson Drescher opened the public hearing on Zone Change 08-05 at 8:17 p.m.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the application of Luis Becerra for Zone Change 08-05 with staff recommending disapproval.
Vice Chairperson Drescher closed the public hearing at 8:19 p.m.
Commissioner Forrest made a motion to disapprove the Zone Change 08-08. Seconded by Commissioner German. Motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson; Lawrence;
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Secretary Lopez read the Resolution by title - Resolution 08-34 - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco recommending disapproval of Zone Change 08-05 to the City Council, changing the zoning classification from R-2 Medium Density Residential to R-3 High Density Residential for Assessor Parcel Number 488-151-02, 488-151-03, 488-151-05, 488-151-06, 488-151-07, 488-151-08, 488-151-09 and 488-151-10 as shown in Exhibit A and Accompanying Notice of Exemption.
c) Precise Development 08-06 - The application of Luis Becerra for a Precise Development (PD-R3 08-06) to allow for a fifteen (15) foot encroachment of the required twenty five (25) foot front yard setback and a ten (10) foot encroachment to the required fifteen (15) foot rear yard setback for APN 488-151-02 and 488-151-03 and accompanying Notice of Exemption.
Vice Chairperson Drescher opened the public hearing at 8:21 p.m.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the application of Luis Becerra for Precise Development Plan 08-06 with staff recommending disapproval.
Vice Chairperson Drescher closed the public hearing at 8:22 p.m.
Commissioner German made a motion to disapprove the Precise Development 08-06 application. Seconded by Commissioner Forrest. Motion was carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson; Lawrence;
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Santillan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Secretary Lopez read the Resolution by title - Resolution 08-35 - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco disapproving Precise Development Plan 08-06 as illustrated in Exhibit A and as modified through conditions of approval in Exhibit B for an Encroachment of the required fifteen (15) foot rear yard setback and the required twenty five (25) foot front yard setback on lots 6 and 7 of Exhibit A located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and 7th Street, and adoption of the accompanying Notice of Exemption.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Approved City Council Minutes for review
11. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
Director Johnson reported that the Fresh and Easy broke ground, the Best Western is under construction, the Housing Element would be going to HCD this week and that the council had approved staff to move on finding a grant to update the sign ordinance.
12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner German asked about the recycling center on Highway 46 and J Street and asked if Code Enforcement would be addressing the colors of the building. He also asked the status of the Circle K project.
Commissioner Hutson asked about the development around Tigermart.
Commissioner Forrest asked about the building on F Street that looked abandoned.
Commissioner Santillan thanked staff for their work.
Director Johnson, Senior Planner McNamara and Secretary Lopez answered the questions by Commissioners.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Lawrence made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner German. . All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Miles Johnson, Community Development Director
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