CITY OF WASCO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2009- 7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER by Chairperson Santillan at 7:45 p.m.
2. FLAG SALUTE
3. INVOCATION led by Chairperson Santillan at opening of adjourned meeting.
4. ROLL CALL
Chairperson Santillan; Commissioners Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson Absent: Commissioner Lawrence
Jim Zervis, City Manager; Brian Millar, PMC; Senior Planner Dennis McNamara; Secretary Stacie 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. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approve the Reading of all Resolutions by Title only
Commissioner German made a motion to approve items on the consent calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Hutson. All in favor. Motion carried.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
a) Zone Variance 09-01 - A request for a zone variance to allow an increase in the allowable height and square footage for a monument sign, the addition of an electronic message board, and placement of the monument in the site triangle.
Chairperson Santillan opened the public hearing at 7:47 p.m.
Senior Planner McNamara reported on the request by the applicant for the variance to allow the proposed sign to be placed on their property and gave a brief history of the site.
Questions were raised by the Commissioners regarding internal lighting and if it needed to be addressed by the Commission. Senior Planner McNamara stated there was some confusion in the ordinance and that internal lighting does need to be approved by the Planning Commission.
Another question by the Commission was on the need for the sign ordinance to be re-written to make it more reasonable. Brian Millar with PMC explained that having the ordinance re-written is something that can be looked at by the City. City Manager Zervis stated this was one thing that Sara Allinder, Interim Community Development Director working on to get done but had not gotten to it yet.
Hearing no further discussion Chairperson Santillan closed the public hearing at 8:02 p.m.
Commissioner German made a motion to approve Resolution 09-24. Seconded by Commissioner Hutson. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners: Drescher; Elholm; Forrest; German; Hutson; Santillan
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Commissioner Lawrence
Secretary Joslin read the Resolution by title - Resolution 09-24 - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Wasco approving Zone Variance 09-24.
9. REPORT, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE MINUTE ACTION
a) Discussion and clarification of acceptable and unacceptable building materials in the "H" Historic Downtown Wasco Overlay District.
Chairperson Santillan opened the discussion at 8:03 p.m.
Brian Millar reported on building materials allowed in the "H" District and explained staff is looking for feedback and thoughts on the material.
Commissioners commented that a lot of downtown buildings are surprisingly made of metal and aluminum siding. Comments on metal buildings being made nicer now and metal with the right architecture would be acceptable. Commissioners discussed that they would like to see either Option 1 or Option 2 given. Brian Millar with PMC asked for clarification of either Option 1 or 2. Commissioners agreed for staff to bring back Option 1.
Chairperson Santillan closed the discussion at 8:22 p.m.
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
a) City Council Minutes
b) Code Enforcement Report
c) Monthly Building Report
d) Project Status Report
11. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
Brian Millar with PMC pointed out the inclusion of the project status reports to the agenda; he also informed the Commissioners that the OSEA Stone project would be heard before the Planning Commission in December.
12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Forrest asked about the status of the Cooking Oil Facility, what was being done in the Industrial Park and if he school zone on 9th Street by St. Johns School would be changed as the school is no longer open. City Manager Zervis explained that the applicant for the cooking oil facility is working on funding, he also explained that a soccer park is being put into the Industrial Park and finally that the City would meet internally regarding changing the school zone on 9th.
Commissioner German was glad to see staff able to function without the Planning Commission meeting being held last month.
Commissioner Hutson is pleased with the work being done by Sara and Brian but is concerned about the work of the Public Works Department, looks like information coming from Public Works makes Planning look bad. He also commented that the KFC/A&W Fees were very high as are the Traffic Impact Fees; he would also like the City to look at other engineering services.
Commissioner Forrest was intrigued by the police force/joint police force interviews and wondered if anyone else had the same reaction.
Commissioner Drescher thanked staff for getting the Wasco Auto and Smog permit done.
Commissioner Elholm had no comments.
Chairperson Santillan thanked staff for the phone calls to get a quorum.
City Manager Zervis informed the Commissioners that there would be a Workshop for police services Monday November 16 at the Veterans Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner German made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Hutson. All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Sara Allinder
Interim Community Development Director
| 
