CITY OF WASCO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2008- 7:00 P.M.
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 Drescher; Commissioner Elholm;
Commissioner Forrest; Commissioner German; Commissioner Hutson; Commissioner Lawrence
Absent: None
Staff: Community Development Director Heiser; Senior Planner McNamara; Secretary Lopez-Joslin
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 November 10, 2008 regular meeting.
b) Approval of Minutes for November 24, 2008 special meeting.
c) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner German made a motion to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Hutson. All in favor. Motion carried.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS - POLICY ITEMS
a) APPEAL 08-03 Appeal of the Planning Director's Decision by Sohan Patel regarding the denial by staff of a monument sign that exceeds the size requirements found in Table 17-6 of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance, located approximately 150 feet north of the northwest corner of State Route 46 and N. Polar Avenue, APN 487-040-23
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
Commissioner Drescher recused herself due to land ownership proximity to location of project area.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the appeal the Planning Director's Decision by Sohan Patel regarding the denial by staff of a monument sign that exceeds the size requirements found in Table 17-6 of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance, located approximately 150 feet north of the northwest corner of State Route 46 and N. Polar Avenue, with staff recommending denial of the appeal.
A question was asked by Commissioners if the sign was a standard sign policy for Best Western franchise.
Sohan Patel - 7005 Colony Park Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93313 - Stated that Best Western requires sign at entrance of driveway. There were different signs drawn up and picked smallest. Mr. Patel also stated that the sign would be 220' from Highway 46 on Poplar.
Commissioners asked if Mr. Patel was given the sign requirements at time of submittal. Mr. Patel stated that the signs were not submitted at the time of plan submittal.
More questions were asked by the Commissioners as to location, size and type of signs already approved and also if the signs are a standard and chosen by Best Western. Staff informed the Commissioners of the sizes and types of approved signs which is a wall sign placed on the front of the hotel 75' high and that the specifications of the signs are done by the builder.
Commissioners questioned the sign ordinance and asked when it might be amended due to the amount of developers coming to them on sign issues. Staff explained the cost of amending the sign ordinance and that the City is working to acquire a grant to amend this ordinance.
Mr. Patel was asked by Commissioners why he did not propose signs on Highway 46. Mr. Patel explained that he owns the property directly in front of the Best Western site and that he hoped to develop in the future and the sign would then have to be removed. Also, he explained that the requirements of Best Western are to have a sign at the entrance to the hotel and the only entrance he has is on Poplar. When asked by Commissioners why he did not have an entrance on Highway 46 he explained that in the beginning he did have an entrance there, he had been involved in meetings with the City about the entrance and had one approved then the next week was told he could not have the entrance on Highway 46 he would have to use Poplar. Mr. Patel was asked by Commissioners who took the original entrance away. He stated that the City Manager had told him he could not have the entrance on Highway 46 and would have to use the Poplar Street entrance instead. Senior Planner McNamara explained
that one reason for not allowing the driveway on Highway 46 was due to Caltrans requirements of a right in-right out only in that location.
Gordon Drescher - 1001 Poplar Avenue, Wasco - Stated that he is the property owner of the lot immediately to the East of the project and has no problem with the proposed sign. He also stated that, as the former City Attorney, he had no problems getting ordinance amendments done quickly.
Mr. Patel stated that he is not happy with the way he has been treated by the City and that he has been made to jump through too many hoops.
After more lengthy discussion on the appeal process the public hearing was closed by Chairperson Santillan at 8:11 p.m.
A point of discussion was brought up at that point Chairperson Santillan re-opened the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
After more discussion on the sign ordinance and discussion on the proposed sign the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Commissioner Forrest made a motion to approve appeal 08-03. Seconded by Commissioner Hutson. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Elholm; Forrest; Hutson; Santillan
NOES: Commissioners: German; Lawrence
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Drescher
ABSENT:
Secretary Lopez read the Resolution by title - Resolution 08-48 - A Resolution of the City of Wasco Planning Commission approving the appeal of Mr. Sohan Patel to not sustain the Planning Department's decision for a monument sign located at 1704 State Route 46, Wasco CA, APN 487-040-23.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
Director Heiser informed that Commissioners of a second Downtown Workshop and requested that they attend.
11. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
Director Heiser reported that Code Enforcement has started working on vehicles stored at residences. He also reported that the project on Central and 7th would possibly be brought back to the Commission at the January meeting.
12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Hutson voiced his concerns on the comments by Mr. Patel of changes made by someone in the City that is a serious problem and the concern of the poor track record in the City. Director Heiser explained that meetings are held with the Director's and staff is not always informed of what happens in different departments.
Commissioner Lawrence stated his opinion on sticking with the ordinances we have and if we are going to change them then do it legally.
Commissioner Forrest asked if the alley situation with KFC had been resolved, he also stated his concerns of excess requirements put on developers. Commissioner Forrest also questioned the secrecy on projects for example the Salvador Cruz project, who approved the project with so many rumors what is true. Staff explained the projects in question and gave a report on what information was available to them.
Commissioner Drescher stated that if she had been able to vote she would have also voted in favor of the appeal and liked the fact that the Commission can make a decision.
Chairperson Santillan thanked staff for all of their hard work and thanked Mr. Patel for being in attendance at the meeting.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Hutson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner German. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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