MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BELL PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bell Community Center, 6250 Pine Avenue, Bell CA 90201
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN -PERSON AT THE BELL COMMUNITY CENTER PUBLIC COMMENT: if you wish to make a comment on items listed on the agenda and non -agenda items, you may attend the meeting in -person at the Bell Community Center, Please complete a Request to Speak Card available in the location and wait until the chair calls you to approach the podium. Please clearly state your name and address and proceed to make your comments.
You may also submit input electronically through a temporary public comment email established for City of Bell City Council meetings at cityclerk a(�cityofbell.orq. Your written comment must be submitted by 4pm on Wednesday, March 5. 2025. Any ernails received after the time indicated will not be included in the record. Written Comments will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words).
The meeting will be recorded and live streamed on the City's website at http://www.citvofbell.orqi?NavtD=101
1. Chair Mesa called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
2. RoII Call of the Planning Commission:
Commissioner Rihan Bedier
Commissioner Rodrigo Rodarte
Commissioner Ali Sleiman
Vice -Chair Jessica Vallejo
Chair Luis Mesa
PRESENT: Commissioner Rodarte, Vice -Chair Vallejo and Chair Mesa ABSENT: Commissioner Bedier and Sleiman
Staff Present: Community Development Director Manuel Acosta, Assistant Planner Jason Garcia, Assistant City Attorney Alexis Hall and Planning Commission Secretary Marisa Craft.
3. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice -Chair Vallejo
4. Communications from the Public:
This is the time for members of the public to address the Planning Commission on matters that are listed on the agenda and non -agenda items that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission. None
5. Presentation(s):
a. None
6. Public Hearings
a. Request for approval of a Site Plan Review (SPR 2025-06) and Variance (VAR 2025-01) to demolish an existing 392 square foot commercial building and construct a new one-story 545 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the planning
Commission March 5, 2025
square foot commercial (retail) building, the removal of an existing driveway approach along Atlantic Avenue, and a variance requested to deviate from the required landscaped setback areas.
Recommendation: it is recommended that the Bell PlanningCommission:
1. Based on the evidence presented, Staff recommends that the Planning Commission find that the project is exempt from the CEQA under Section 15302 (Class 2), "Replacement or Reconstruction", make the required findings and requirements set forth in the BMC,
2. And read by title only, waive further reading and adopt Resolution 2025-02PC titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BELL APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. SPR 2025-06 AND ZONE VARIANCE NO. VAR 2025-01 TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING 392 SQUARE FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING AND CONSTRUCT A NEW 545 SQUARE FOOT
COMMERCIAL BUILDING INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF AN EXISTNG DRIVEWAY APPROACH LOCATED AT 4468 GAGE AVENUE, IN THE C3R (GENERAL COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL) ZONE.
Community Development Director Manuel Acosta introduced the item.
Assistant Planner Jason Garcia provided a powerpoint presentation on the item.
Brief discussion ensued amongst the staff and commissioners.
Applicant, Steve Boss, provided information on the item.
Chair Mesa opened the public hearing.
Public Speakers
None
Chair Mesa closed the public hearing.
Assistant City Attorney Alexis HaII read the title of the resolution.
It was moved by Commissioner Radarte to approve agenda item 6a as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Vice -Chair Vallejo which carried with the following roll call vote:
RoII CaII: 3-0-0-2
Ayes: Commissioners Rodarte, Vice Chair Vallejo, and Chair Mesa Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Bedier and Sleiman
Motion Passed
b. Request for the consideration of an Ordinance of the City of Bell, California, amending Chapter
17.52 (General Design and Use Requirements) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Bell Municipal Code (BMC), to include development standards and a permitting process to allow for the installation of security gates on commercial properties.
Recommendation: it is recommended that the Bell Planning Commission continue the public Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Planning
Commission March 5, 2025
hearing until the next Regular Planning Commission Meeting on April 2, 2025.
Community Development Director Manuel Acosta provided information on the item. He requested that the item be continued to the next Regular Planning Commission Meeting on April 2, 2025.
Chair Mesa opened the public hearing.
Public Speakers
None
Chair Mesa continued the public hearing to the Regular Planning Commission Meeting on April 2, 2025.
It was moved by Commissioner Rodarte to approve agenda item 6b as recommended.
Motion was seconded by Vice -Chair Vallejo which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll CaII: 3-0-0-2
Ayes: Commissioners Rodarte, Vice Chair Vallejo, and Chair Mesa Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Bedier and Sleiman
Motion Passed
7. Regular Session:
a Approval of the minutes for the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of December 4, 2024.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Planning Commission approve the minutes for December 4, 2024.
It was moved by Vice -Chair Vallejo to approve agenda item 7a as recommended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Rodarte which carried with the following roll call vote:
Roll CaII: 3-0-0-2
Ayes: Commissioners Rodarte, Vice Chair Vallejo, and Chair Mesa Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Bedier and Sleiman
8. Planning Commissioner Announcements; Request for Future Agenda Items; Conference/Meeting Reports:
Vice -Chair Vallejo requested a future agenda meeting item on upcoming projects in the City ...(economic development projects)
Chair Mesa announced transportation project on Saturday at the community center a ajoiunt clean up with cudahay march 15
Chair mesa noted the bad condition of the bell house
Community Development Director announced there was a plan to conduct updates, plan, budget for it...
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Planning
Commission March 5, 2025
Vice -Chair Vallejo announced requested a future presentation on upcoming economic development
9. Community Development Director's Comments:
Announced ground breaking for INN out the previous saturday
10. City Attorney Comments:
11. Adjournment: Next Regular Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Chair Mesa adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
I, Marisa Craft, Planning Commission Secretary, certify that the foregoing minutes were approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Bell at a regular meeting held on June 4, 2025.
AVILIkkiw
Marisa Craft
Planning Commission Secretary
Luis Mesa, Chair
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Planning
Commission March 5, 2025