CITY OF WEED PLANNING COMMISSION

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 8, 1999

 

The Planning Commission of the City of Weed held a special meeting on Wednesday, September 8, 1999, 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, Harold Baltar, and Jack Colombana.  Also present were Interim City Administrator Earl Wilson and Planning Commission Secretary Deborah Salvestrin. 

Commissioner Baltar moved, seconded by Commissioner Acquistapace, to excuse the absence of Commissioners Candace Dillingham, Jess Gonzales, and Karen Heiser. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Baltar, Colombana, and Tuman

NOES:              None

ABSENT:          Commissioners Dillingham, Gonzales, and 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. There were none. 

REGULAR AGENDA

A.  Use Permit:  Auto rental, 79 S. Weed Boulevard

Interim City Administrator Wilson reported Allen Williams has submitted application for use permit for a car rental business in an existing building on Weed Boulevard, and that the property is zoned C-2, or General Commercial, where automobile services, including rental, require use permits.  Mr. Wilson noted the store will also house a video rental business run by the applicant but the business is a permitted use in C-2 and does not require special authority. 

Interim Administrator Wilson explained that the automobiles that are available for rent will be stored across the street and down behind the Hi-Lo Motel, and both the motel and the building where the rental office is located are owned by Siskiyou Development Company.  Mr. Wilson added that customer parking is adequate and is provided on the property at 79 S. Weed Boulevard. 

Interim Administrator Wilson reported that signs are to be included and are proposed to be installed in the freestanding monument type structure at the sidewalk, and the other two will be placed on the building. 

Interim Administrator Wilson stated the project is found to be categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as a Class I exemption, §15301, of the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, and a Notice of Exemption will be prepared to comply with the law. 

            Allen Williams apologized for missing the last meeting noting he arrived after the meeting had been adjourned.  Mr. Williams thanked the Commission for holding a special meeting, and then discussed parking for both customers and rental vehicles including access.  Mr. Williams stated that Siskiyou Development has agreed to permit the parking of the available rental vehicles on the Hi-Lo Motel property. 

            Cy Rippon appeared before the Commission to inform both the Commission and Mr. Williams that Rippon Road off Lake Street is private property and cannot be used as access to the Siskiyou Development property.  Mr. Williams agreed that the rental vehicles located on the Hi-Lo property would have ingress and egress only from S. Weed Boulevard.

            The Commission finds that the establishment and operation of the use applied for will not be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood, and it will not be injurious or detrimental to the property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general welfare of the city.

            Commissioner Baltar moved, seconded by Commissioner Colombana, to approve the application for car rentals as proposed and subject to the following Notation and Conditions:

Notation

Section 18.32.120 of the Weed Municipal Code provides an appeal procedure in the event the applicant or any other person is not satisfied with the action of the planning commission. 

Conditions

            1.  The site shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the approved site plan and sign program on file in the Planning Department, and the conditions contained herein. 

            2.  Prior to any use of the project site or business activity being commenced thereon, all conditions of approval shall be completed to the satisfaction of the City planner.

            3.  Occupancy of the facility shall not commence until such time as all Uniform Building Code regulations have been complied with.  Prior to occupancy, plans shall be submitted to the Fire Department to show compliance. 

            4.  Trash receptacles conforming to City standards are required, and shall be shielded from public view. 

            5.  All parking spaces, driveway aisles, entrances, exits shall be striped per City standards.

            6.  All signs are subject to City approval and may require either a building or sign permit or both.

A.  All signs for business owners who go out of business, or discontinue the particular line of business or service advertised in the sign, shall be dismantled and removed within thirty days of such going out of business or service, by the owner of the building or property.  In case of the failure of the owner to do so, the city will cause such sign to be dismantled and removed, and the cost of this shall be borne by the owner of the building or property. 

B.  Outdoor advertising structure or sign shall not display or makes use of the words "stop", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. 

C.  Signs shall not have red, green or amber lights that could be confused with traffic signals.         

D.  The city council is authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by the city administrator or his duly authorized agents, or the planning commission upon failure of the holder to comply with any of the provisions of this section.  Revocation proceedings shall be conducted as detailed in Sections 18.32.140 and 18.32.150. 

E.  Signs shall be suspended so as to leave a clearance of at least ten feet perpendicularly above all sidewalks, and a clearance of at least fourteen feet perpendicularly above all driveways, and shall not extend beyond a point of two feet inside the outer or curb line of the sidewalk; provided, however, that no such sign shall be suspended at such a height so as to interfere with the illumination from street lights erected and maintained by the city. 

F.  All signs shall be maintained in good repair and have a neat appearance. 

G.  It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to clean up any and all debris resulting from a failure of a sign.

H.  Sign permits shall not be issued until fifteen days have elapsed from the granting thereof, and in case an appeal is filed from the planning commission decision thereon shall not be issued until decision has been made by the city council on such appeal.

I.  Sign permits shall not have any force and effect until the permittee acknowledges receipt thereof and acceptance of any conditions thereto. 

J.  After the required 15-day waiting period, a building permit must be obtained prior to installation.  Engineering for the wind-loading requirement may be required as determined by the building inspector. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Baltar, Colombana, and Tuman

NOES:              None

ABSENT:          Commissioners Dillingham, Gonzales, and Heiser

COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

            Commissioner Baltar questioned use permit conditions of Black Butte Auto noting the vehicles were supposed to be parked behind a fence.  Staff agreed to look into it. 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Baltar moved adjournment, and Commissioner Colombana seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Commissioners Acquistapace, Baltar, Colombana, and Tuman

NOES:              None

ABSENT:          Commissioners Dillingham, Gonzales, and Heiser

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:18 P.M.