CITY OF WASCO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2009- 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
Staff: Community Development Director Heiser; Senior Planner McNamara; Attorney George Yin; Chief Building Official Marlo Glaser; 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 January 12, 2009 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. REPORT AND POSSIBLE MINUTE ACTION
a) Report and Possible Minute Action RE: Signage - A possible update of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17.61 Signs.
Senior Planner McNamara gave a report regarding the possible update of the City of Wasco Zoning Ordinance on Signs.
There was a lengthy discussion by the members of the Commission on holding a workshop to go through the sign ordinance to make a new sign ordinance. Attorney George Yin will look at the legal ramifications on a workshop for the Commissioners on this subject. Commissioners German, Forrest and Drescher volunteered to be on Sign Ordinance Committee if it could be arranged. Staff will report back to Commissioners on legal issues. No action taken by Commissioners.
b) Report and Possible Minute Action RE: Green Building Standards - Consideration of adoption Green Building Standards within the City of Wasco and Green Building Rating Program.
Community Development Director Heiser gave a report on Consideration of adoption of Green Building Standards within the City of Wasco and also a Green Building Rating Program.
A lengthy discussion by Commissioners and staff on costs and requirements of the Standards and Rating Program. Commissioners referred item back to staff for further study and report.
c) Report and Possible Minute Action RE: Mural Program - A Mural/Public Arts Program to be implemented along with the revision to the Sign Ordinance and Downtown Revitalization Study.
Senior Planner McNamara gave a report on a Mural/Public Arts Program to be implemented along with the revision to the Sign Ordinance and Downtown Revitalization Study.
After a brief discussion by Commissioners they agreed that staff should conduct workshops and draft a Mural/Public Arts Program for the City of Wasco.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) Role & Responsibilities of Planning Commissioners
Attorney George Yin spoke on the Planning Commissioners Handbook that was provided to the Commissioners and asked if there were any questions that needed to be discussed.
There was a question of any concerns on the way the Commission handles items.
Attorney Yin explained that Commissioners should try to stay on the agenda and not stray away from the agenda items, doing so could be cause for a Brown Act violation. Also if there is a conflict that a Commissioner needs to recuse themselves for an item they should leave the room and not participate in discussion. After a brief discussion by Commissioners, Attorney Yin asked the Commissioners to err on the side of caution and that the Commissioners can ask Planning staff to contact the attorney if they are not sure or if they have questions.
b) City Council Minutes
11. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
Director Heiser reported that staff is working on Denny's; Bob's Big Boy is on hold; KFC will be submitting a new plan; Jack In The Box is possibly on hold due to fees from San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; Carl's Jr. has same issue and working on the issue; Circle K under construction; Industrial Park - Revise project; Kern Hospital is going through a Mitigated Negative Declaration needs to expand boundaries and hinges on Annexation. The appeal of the Cooking Oil Facility going to next City Council meeting; 7th and Central project working with staff. Director Heiser also reported on the Cruz project on 7th & E Street and Barraza's. He also asked if any Commissioner would be interested in being on the Economic Development Committee, Chairperson Santillan volunteered to be on
Committee.
12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Forrest - Concerned about lack of information being given to the Citizens of Wasco and would like to see Chamber of Commerce or someone do articles for the local paper, feels Citizen input is valuable.
Chairperson Santillan thanked staff for hard work.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Elhom made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner German. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
John Heiser, Community Development Director
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