CITY OF WEED PLANNING COMMISSION

                                                             REGULAR MEETING

                                                                   APRIL 5, 2000

 

 

The Planning Commission of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Chairman Virgil Tuman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present, in addition to Chairman Tuman were Commissioners Richard Acquistapace, Jack Colombana, Candace Dillingham, and Jess Gonzales.  City Administrator Earl Wilson was also present.

 

Commisioner Gonzales moved to excuse the absence of Commissioner Heiser, and Commissioner Acquistapace seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Colombana, Dillingham, and Gonzales

NOES:              None

ABSENT:          Commissioners Baltar, Heiser

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

 

Chairman Tuman invited comments and/or questions from the audience, and noted that no action could be taken by the Commission except to set the matter presented for the next regular Commission meeting.  There were none. 

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

Chairman Tuman called for Commissioners to declare conflicts of interest on any item on this agenda.  Commissioner Acquistapace reported that he lives within 100 feet of Scotty Porter. Chairman Tuman stated that Commissioner Acquistapace should step from the dais at the time the matter comes under Commission consideration.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

A.  Application submitted by Scotty Porter, 564 Oregon Street for variance to reduce the rear yard setback area from the required 10 feet plus 1000 square feet on the rear one-third of the lot to 10 feet plus approximately 301 square feet on the rear one third of the lot; and a variance to increase the maximum allowable lot coverage from 40 percent to approximately 46 percent, for the construction of an accessory building to be used as a garage. 

 

Commissioner Acquistapace stepped from the dais due to the previously declared conflict of interest. 

 

Commissioner Harold Baltar arrived. 

 

Chairman Tuman reviewed the procedures for the conduct of public hearings, and then declared the present as the time and place for the scheduled hearing.  Chairman Tuman asked for and received verification that proper notice had been given in accordance with the law, and then declared the hearing open at 7:12 p.m.

 

City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of application for variance and then reviewed the City’s setback regulations. 

 

Chairman Tuman asked for comments and/or questions in support of the requested variance.  Scotty Porter came before the Commission to describe his proposed project.  Mr. Porter stated that other houses in the area are at three feet from the property line, and he proposes to build at ten feet from the property line. 

 

Chairman Tuman requested comments and/or questions in opposition to the requested variance. There were none. 

 

Chairman Tuman asked for Commission comments and/or questions concerning the variance. 

 

Commissioner Dillingham asked about unusual conditions that constitute a special circumstance, and read from the discussion in the County’s variance application that relates to unusual circumstances. 

 

Scotty Porter responded that his project would provide a place to get vehicles off the public street. 

 

Chairman Tuman noted that the property does not have access to a garage from Oregon Street.

 

Commissioner Baltar stated that it would be beneficial for him and the City to have the vehicles parked off the roadway. 

 

Chairman Tuman declared the hearing closed at 7:53 p.m.  The Commission finds that granting of the variance will promote safety and protect the welfare of the surrounding area by allowing greater access to emergency vehicles.  Commissioner Gonzales moved, seconded by Commissioner Colombana, to approve the variance request because the lot is too small, and because the City needs the parking. 

AYES:              Commissioners Baltar, Colombana, and Gonzales

NOES:              Commissioner Dillingham

ABSENT:          Commissioners Acquistapace, Heiser

 

Commissioner Dillingham stated that other alternatives could be considered such as putting the garage underneath the existing structure. 

 

Commissioner Acquistapace returned to the dais. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

A.  County Referral – Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Defining Junkyard.

 

The Commission discussed the ordinance proposed by Siskiyou County and agreed to recommend Option D.

 

COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

 

Chairman Tuman asked a question about the parking lot next to the Townhouse Motel. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Commissioner Baltar moved to adjourn, and Commission Gonzales seconded the motion.

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Baltar, Colombana, Dillingham, and Gonzales

NOES:              None

ABSENT:          Commissioner Heiser

 

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M.