Good evening. We will go ahead and call the meeting to order. It is uh 5:00 pm.
Roll call. >> Chairman Ferris
» here. >> Commissioner [clears throat] Haymon
» here. >> Commissioner Mont Dragon
» here. >> Commissioner Poxis
» here. >> For present. We have a quorum.
» All right. If you all rise for the pledge of allegiance, please.
» Ready to begin. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you.
I am requesting a motion um for approval of the agenda.
» So moved. >> I'll second.
» Ferris >> I.
» Haymon. I >> M dragon
» I >> I
» motion carries. >> Okay. Um we are
swearing in a new commissioner,
» Mr. Bowen.
Raise your right hand. >> I state Oh, [snorts] sorry. I, Eric,
» doly affirm affirm >> that I will support and defend
» that I will support and defend >> the Constitution of the United States
» Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of
California >> and the Constitution of the State of
California >> against all enemies
» against all enemies, >> foreign and domestic.
» foreign and domestic. >> That I will bear true faith and alian
true faith and allegiance >> to the Constitution of the United States
» to the Constit Constitution of the United States
» and the Constitution of the State of California.
» Constitution of the State of California. >> That I take this obligation free
» that I take this obligation freely >> without any mental reservation
» without any reservation >> or purpose of evasion
» or purpose of evasion. and that I will well
» and that I will well >> and faithfully discharge
» and faithfully discharge >> the duties upon which
» the duties upon which >> I'm about to enter
» I'm about to enter ma'am
» thank you all thank you Eric
um we will um make a motion to approve the minutes at the next meeting
um non-aggenda the public comments. Uh, persons wishing to address the
commission on matters that are within the commission's jurisdiction and do not
already appear on the agenda may do so at this time. Pursuant to the Brown Act,
the planning commission may not take action on an item that that does not
appear on this agenda. Oh, I'm sorry. Speakers are limited to five minutes.
The public comment section of the agenda is limited to a total of one hour. Each
speaker is asked to provide his or her name.
Hello there. My name is Kelly Betts. Last Wednesday, the issue of backyard
poultry was brought before the city council and they agreed to add it to the
agenda for discussion at a next city council meeting. At the request of
Councilman Blades, I am here today before the planning commission to
discuss the current municipal code and possible amendments that could be made
to accommodate backyard poultry following a future decision by the city
council. The current municipal code does not contain any specific language as to
the allowance or forbiddance of backyard poultry in residential zoning. This lack
of communication has led the public to believe that poultry is allowed in
Ridgerest, and countless citizens already own backyard chickens, ducks,
quails, and other birds. Recent events have brought this into
question as some residents have been told that they must remove their birds
from the pre premises without warning and any chance of remediation.
The current municipal code requires cleanliness of all animal habitations
regardless of species and it forbids loud and continuous animal noises such
as barking and crowing. I agree with these requirements. However, this does
not specifically say that backyard birds are not allowed under any circumstance.
even when cleanliness and noise are not in question. I propose that we amend the
current municipal code to include allowances and limitations regarding
poultry just as we have these specifications for cats and dogs. I have
taken an active part in community discussion regarding this issue,
including online and in person at community events. I have personally
spoken with hundreds of residents about their thoughts on this issue. Our
petition already has almost 400 signatures in only one week.
The most common comment that I have heard from residents is that they
thought owning backyard chickens was already allowed. Common concerns were
that there should be limits to the number of birds you can have and that
roosters should not be permitted in residential areas. I personally agree
with this. My opinion and suggestion is that a resident shall own no more than
eight female chickens or four ducks and no specified limit on quailes due to
their very small size. This number is based on the number of eggs that a
typical family would need for personal use and is based on the fact that chicks
must be purchased in quantities of four from local suppliers. I also suggest a
ban on the commercial sale of eggs and a complete ban of roosters in residential
zones unless explicit permission is granted from the city based on lot size
and other requirements. I believe that making these changes to the municipal
code will save the time, money, and resources of animal control and code
enforcement officers by giving them discretion to act on situations and
complaints that actually constitute animal care negligence versus having to
respond to every tip that a chicken simply exists. I would be happy to hear
any concerns that you might have concerning this request and will gladly
respond with ideas on how to address any potential conflicts. I respectfully ask
that you begin looking into the current civil code and contemplate ways that it
could potentially be amended following a decision decision by our city council
members at a future city council meeting. Thank you for your time.
» Thank you.
» Are we engaging questions or no? >> No. Okay. Thank you.
» Comment. >> Any other public comment?
Okay. Moving on, we will go ahead and open the uh public hearing. This is an
abatement of APN 34304234-0000-5,
a consideration of an abatement to the property due to buckled and obstructed
sidewalks RMC 14-59 and 11-3
uh 3C. Property owner uh Dan Wyn, APN 343 04234-0000-5
staff report.
Good evening. Tonight, I am requesting approval to abate a buckled sidewalk and
vegetation obstructing the sidewalk at the intersection of East Church Avenue
and South Lincoln Street. APN 343 042 34005.
As you can see, this portion of the sidewalk is entirely unusable, forcing
pedestrians to step off of the sidewalk and into the roadway to navigate around
this obstacle, which is not only dangerous, but may be difficult, if not
impossible, for those with physical limitations.
Since the case was initiated on August 21st, 2025, I have made repeated efforts
to contact the property owner. Six notices have been mailed, three
citations have been issued, and numerous telephone calls have been placed. In
addition, I've utilized multiple available resources to research updated
mailing addresses for the property owner. Despite these efforts, I have
received no response from the property owner. Additionally, I've attempted to
contact who is believed to be relatives and associates of the property owner via
phone. Unfortunately, many of these telephone numbers were either
disconnected, no longer belonged to the intended individuals, or did not result
in contact with anyone responsible for the property.
Based on these efforts, I believe every administrative approach available to the
city has been exhausted. With the violations remaining uncorrected, we are
requesting the removal and replacement of the buckled portion of the sidewalk
as well as the complete uprooting of the tree to ensure that this issue does not
occur again. With that, I'm available to answer any questions you may have.
» Thank you. Uh, commissioner comments, Mr. Bruin, we'll start with you.
» Uh, just this is actually we we had trimmed this bush back previously before
we started this abatement. Correct. And it went through like a parks uh a
streets maintenance trim back back in 23 I believe. Uh this this existed with the
same lot. I'm just putting written that on record that thank you guys for coming
forward. Thank you. Very thorough abatement, very thorough process, but
this is not something that just came up in 25. This person's ignored it for
easily a good three to six years at this point. Um and I applaud your efforts in
getting it moving forward. Thank you. >> Thank you.
I'm curious how many or how many years the person has owned this lot. I'm
assuming a very long time if we can't get a hold of them.
From what I from what I remember, I believe it said as early as 2005.
The property owner used to be a resident of Ridgequest uh Rididgerest and
obviously they are no longer. However, they still do own this lot.
I think what uh looking at especially the picture that's on the screen there
like it's not worn down. Obviously there's not a lot of foot traffic or
anything that uh because people can't walk by there.
» Uh not questioning your means and methods and everything you did. I think
you're all doing a great job, but I'm just curious how many other parts of the
sidewalk on vacant lots around the city that might be damaged due to the
earthquake or old trees that used to be on
properties. Um, so it almost it almost seems like you're going to be chasing
your tails for a very long time uh around the city. So I'm curious if this
is something that the public works department can maybe go around and look
and maybe one week out of the year they go around
and they try to do the best they can at least on the brush. The cost of
repairing sidewalks is expensive. So [clears throat]
on that note, we did talk, code enforcement and I did talk previous to
this on the state because we do have a sidewalk survey that was done. So we
know all of the sidewalks that need to be repaired and as of
this this year um they sent out 44 cases um that have had up to the 30
days, right? So, [clears throat] there's still more that are outstanding, but
they haven't even had the notice for 30 days. So, out of those 44 cases, 30
people have already fixed the sidewalks. Um, the vacant properties, they are a
continuous issue because people don't live here. So, they may not even know.
They don't know the sidewalks broken. They don't know that the weeds are
overgrown. But we have been working on that for all of this year to get those
trimmed and getting those uh property owners, which has actually spurred them
to decide whether or not they want to continue keeping this property or
whether they're ready to list it. So, it's kind of advantageous to us to get
them to pay attention to their property. Um the abatement will be just to fix the
sidewalk and remove that. It's not a hugely costly thing, but it is costly to
our community. And hopefully we can get those that
haven't responded, hopefully we can get multiple of them together so that when
we get people to go out and get fix them, it could potentially lower the
cost. And if memory serves me right, especially for the residents, if uh they
get a break on the permit for doing this, right, since they've had a
citation, uh I don't think they pay full cost. I
don't think it's a complete discount, but they don't.
» So, they do receive a discount on the permits uh because it is a code
enforcement case.
» I didn't know you had a sidewalk survey. So
» yes, >> I like it.
» Our good our good packed volunteers. >> That's all I have.
» Um, so on the final abatement notice, was that mailed or was that posted on
the property? >> This was mailed to the uh owner's
mailing address on file. >> Does it have to be posted on the
property or >> if if there was actually a structure on
the property? Yes. However, this is a vacant lot, so it is not required.
Okay. Cuz I'm just thinking if we post it [clears throat] in this case, it
probably wouldn't make a difference, but if you post it on the property, maybe
there's a neighbor that knows or a friend that drives by and sees it and
could contact the owner. But I think this is beyond that point at this point.
Um, my other question is I see there's like multiple pictures with different
dates. Um, has the city done anything to like warn the public, hey, there's a
trip hazard. go around maybe like safety cones, a sign.
» Nothing that I'm aware of. >> Okay. I think we should consider when
it's like something like this that's critical. Someone can just be walking
down the street and trip. So, and code enforcement sees it, maybe put out like
a cone or even I mean even just trim the tree back. It's you know just a pair of
clippers. trim them back a little bit so that it's not it's obviously a hazard,
but if we can do something about it to prevent an accident, we should.
» Thank you.
» Uh gentlemen in uh code enforcement. I think you guys are doing a great job. I
appreciate the uh the thoroughess of your report. Provides a level of clarity
that makes this side fairly easy. So, thank you for for that. have a feeling
you had a really good teacher. Um, we'll take a public comment right now if we
have any.
No. All right. At this time, I'd like to
request a [clears throat] motion um to approve this abatement.
» All motion. >> Second.
» Ferris. >> I
» I >> Mond Dragon
» I. >> Foxes.
» I >> bre
» I >> Five eyes. Motion.
» You said Eric had to start there. >> The new guy.
» Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, sir.
» Thank you, Officer Capelli. >> Uh
brings us to parcel map uh waiver 26-01. Uh Tvali Center. uh consideration of a
parcel map waiver to subdivide two parcels into three parcels zoned general
commercial 1400 North Norma Street APN 419-020-41
staff report. [clears throat] >> So this is a parcel map waiver to divide
the existing uh parcel. This [clears throat] parcel
is completely developed. So that's why we do a parcel map waiver, not a track
map um or a parcel map. all of the uh infrastructure that serves this is
already in existence. Um so this is on North Norma Street. Um there's a gas
station, the happy hours, and a couple of other existing tenants.
So this is how they're proposing to divide this. So then you would have
three separate parcels on here um for tenants
um for just the ease of dividing it. It would also um include the CCNRs as
usual for these where there is that reciprocal access agreement for the
different businesses and then it lays out exactly who's responsible for which
portions of the parking lot and stuff like that. So that helps us with
maintaining these things should they become an issue in the future. The
applicant is on the phone, so if we have questions for him, you guys can reach
out. Um staff is recommending that we do this parcel map waiver. Um any
questions?
» I have one. How are they handling the three parking
spots at the intersection of the three lots?
It's uh if you look at line uh where the we know this is the gas station, the
office space and the the restaurant. Those are the three, you know, complexes
there. Um I can understand how they've drawn the line uh in the north line um
0626 East. That's clearly the back of the building. And I can see how they
tried to create the um other subdivide line, but it ends up subdividing
uh slightly three parking spots on the corner
that technically fall within both parcel three and parcel one. And I'm just
curious if that those have been designated for the the gas station,
designated for the office building, or has there been some discussion in terms
of who has the uh maintenance and and um towing rights and all the above for for
those three spots?
» So, the the developer or developers rep is on the phone.
» Yes. Um can you hear me? >> Can you hear?
» Yes, sir. >> Um yeah, absolutely. the uh three
parking spaces was given to parcel one to accommodate the amount of square
footage necessary for the parcel map waiver. So the responsibility is on the
uh mini mart or gas station that is there uh in that partial one.
» Thank you sir. >> You're welcome.
So based on the occupancy load of the restaurant area, uh that building should
have somewhere in the ballpark of 45 to 60 parking stalls. So you don't have
anywhere near that. And my understanding in this case, same
owner, one parcel turning into three. What happens when one of the parcels
sells at some point? Maybe it's a year, maybe it's a hundred years from now, but
either or the new uh owner, if it were to ever sell, now doesn't have the
required parking spaces available. So, in all honesty, the the parking section
needs to be expanded for that uh restaurant area to include a lot more
parking spaces because if that ever were to sell, it
won't have the necessary amount that it has. uh the three parking stalls for the
um gas station. Is there no parking stalls
directly in front of the store? I'm assuming no.
» There is. >> Okay.
So, are the are those three in that little bubble are those the ADA uh
required parking spots? >> No, those are in front of the store.
» Okay. I will say the CCNR generally is going to lay out the percentage that
each parcel is responsible for. So that and that will travel with the land that
will not be struck and no matter how this is sold and I have not personally
seen the CCNRs. That's a Travis review, not me. [clears throat] But we can make
sure that the CCNRs does lay out that they are responsible for
the percentage that would meet the need of that current use. But that doesn't
mean it's always going to be that use. [clears throat]
But the whole the whole three parcels are going to be responsible in some way,
shape or form for the entirety of the parking. So even though parcel 3 is
heavy on the parking right now, usually that reciprocal agreement is
going to include what percentage they're all. And so in the future, you know, if
parcel 3 still owns, you know, still has the major portion of the parking,
they're going to negotiate with that tenant based on what that tenant needs,
right? So that's probably in the tenants's lease. Um, that's how we've
seen it in the past. So that could very well be the case here, but I have not
reviewed that document.
Yeah, the the agreement's one thing, but uh
if it changes ownership, that agreement doesn't has to be re rewritten and
redone. >> It would probably be in their lease
because the CCNR will always stay recorded with the the actual
uh parcel map waiver. So on that parcel map waiver, you'll see that CCNR, it's
going to have that agreement no matter how it changes hands. Um, but it would
be, yeah, it would need to be negotiated with them because that could not, that
could not be a restaurant tomorrow and then it could be an office and maybe
that parking works. But whoever's managing that property is going to have
to determine the use for their tenants and make them responsible for whatever
portion of that parking lot as far as repairs because the CCNRs is going to
determine, you know, you're responsible for 50% of the repairs or and they're
responsible for 25, right? But in our current in its current
occupancy, how many parking spots should that
» I would have to know the size of the dining room.
» So it's uh one parking space per 300 square foot of dining. So not the whole
building, just the dining.
» Thank you. >> But yeah, thank you.
» Sure. Uh, no I don't have any questions. I just what Cody was asking about the
parking spots. So I hope they have a good agreement so that uh if parcel 3
ends up being empty and the other two parcels have tenants then if the parking
lot needs to be fixed or repairs done that we don't get into a situation where
well I don't have any tenants or in income coming in so I'm not going to fix
it. So, I hope there's something in there that addresses that.
» Okay.
» All right. [clears throat] I think that those would be addressed by the land
owner, the landlord. And so, it really isn't a and then Yeah. And then again,
to Eric's point, code enforcement to make sure that that's brought up to
standard. So, I don't think that's something that as a planning commission
we need to necessarily um worry ourselves with necessarily. I I
am a little concerned that to Cody's point, if if part of these if
this parcel sells, that really does make that a a a tough spot for that
restaurant right now. But I guess that's that's up to them. Um, and it really
isn't isn't the the role of the planning commission to to pre-negotiate that
based on something that might happen in the future. So,
um, do we have public comment? Any comment from the developer,
sir? >> No.
» No. Okay. At this time, I'd like to request a motion for approval.
I'll make a motion for approval of the recommendation of the staff report.
Specifically, since they gave me language, I move that the planning
commission adopt a resolution finding that the project is exempt from SQA and
approve parcel map waiver 2601 subject to the findings and conditions of
approval contained in the draft resolution.
» I'll second >> Ferris
» I. >> Heymon
» Iregan >> I
» ruin >> I.
» Five eyes. Motion carries. Okay, we will go ahead and close the uh
public hearing and move on to discussion and other
action items. Um, this is committee assignments.
» So, we have one vacancy
on committees um right now.
Also, if anybody wants to move because there is infrastructure, economic
development and then quality of life. Um, the vacancy is on quality of life. I
am assuming that Breuan is able to fill that spot.
» Volunte.
» So, that meeting is on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. and they meet
over in the Ker McGee Center. Um, and then
» from here >> No, we're still here.
» Yeah. When when did we >> Their agenda says they're at the Kirby
Center. So, >> but I will update that on my list. So,
they meet in this room. >> Okay.
» And then I think we're good for now. That was it. Does anybody Everyone else
is good. No schedule changes. Good for now.
» Good for now. >> Okay. Thank you, Eric, for taking that
on. >> Happy to do it.
» Um, commissioner comments and committee reports. I have nothing to report and no
comments. >> I have nothing.
» I have nothing. >> Nothing to report. Infrastructure is
done until tomorrow. >> Very good.
» Uh, I have two things. Everyone, I wanted to uh make sure that a compliment
went out to the city uh for the work that's being done on uh the medians and
the trees. Um everything that we are continuing to do to improve the
appearance and quality of our community is always a positive and I think that's
a very good positive step forward. Um, second, I just want to echo my thanks
and appreciation for the opportunity to serve uh the city again, and I look
forward to serving on quality of life and uh seeing us uh strive towards a
summer date that I look forward to seeing.
» Thank you. Staff items. Um, as you are probably already aware,
the um, state department of housing
community development, they did approve our housing elements. So, we now have a
certified housing element. Yay. Um, so the next thing is prepare yourselves for
about 40 um, code amendments. Uh, you're welcome. We will try to do them as
as much as we cover, right? Because I don't want to just bring 40 to you in
one motion and there's not really any kind of discussion of but we will not
break them into 40 different meetings. Um
» how long do we have to put them in in effect by the
» by January? >> By January.
» Okay. >> So
» 10 10 a month for the next >> So just like right now. Um yes. and it
just takes three meetings in six months to do it.
So, it should be fine. Um, and the next thing that you guys will
see will be um zone changes because we have a lot of zones that we have known
needed to be corrected. Um, so that will be coming now that our housing element
is adopted. Um the reason for holding off is the housing element includes the
vacant sites. Um and also all of our figures for meeting the arena. So our
our regional housing allocation um is all based off of the zoning. Um we'll
still meet RENA. That's not there's things like professional office with
apartments in it. Um which is fine because it is a conditional use. But the
the big problem is is when people try to purchase these things, they're not
necessarily financable or title doesn't want to do it. Um so it becomes an issue
when they are existing multifamily structures. There's no reason for the
zoning to stay professional office. Um some other things, there's things that
are in the flight path. Um and I had talked to the developer about
two years ago and so they were happy with the idea proposed. So, we'll see
that come. Um, and also potentially agricultural zone will change to match
the same zone as that property um that's out there on Brady, Mayan, Richest
Boulevard, and Los Flores because that is the um largest impact. Um, however,
due to state housing laws, when we downzone something, which that has to be
downzoned. Um, when we downzone something, we have to swap. So, we have
to make it up. Even though we far exceed our reena numbers, um, as far as
vacancy, we don't build to meet the reena numbers. So, we still have to
swap. So, I can't get rid of an estate lot and create what
essentially would be half the density um, without swapping for something else.
So that's where the professional office and all of those things that are kind of
corrections will come in handy in this process. So you will see that probably
at the beginning of next year um we'll get through the holidays. But I look
forward to everyone's input and if you have anything else that you and even the
public if you know of something you hear of something um and you're watching we
are you know looking at different sites. So, if there's something that you know
of that we may not um this will be more of a conversation. It'll be more
interactive. Um and we'll have more time to deal with that as well so that it
doesn't come as a surprise to any property owners. Um but that's it.
That's all I have. >> Thank you, Heather.
Anything from you gentlemen? All right. We will go ahead and adjourn
the meeting at 5:31. Thank you all. Thank you, sir.