City Council Chamber
1515 6th Street, Coachella, California
(760) 398-3502 www.coachella.org
MINUTES
OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY OF COACHELLA
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 18, 2026
6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Torres.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: X Chairperson Murillo
X Vice Chairperson Fonseca
X Commissioner Lara
X Commissioner Ordorica
X Commissioner Torres
Staff Present: *Kendra Reif, Community Development Director. *Lizzandro Diaz, Building Official
*Anahi Fernandez, Management Analyst
*Jason Stevens, Information Technology Manager.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
“At this time the Commission may announce any items being pulled from the agenda or continued to another date or request the moving of an item on the agenda.”
MOTION MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TORRES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ORDORICA TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
Approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioner Torres, Commissioner Ordorica, Commissioner Lara, Vice Chairperson Fonseca, Chairperson Murillo.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 4, 2026.
MOTION MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TORRES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LARA. TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES VICE CHAIR FONSECA CALLED ATTENTION TO A DISCRIPTENCY IN THE DATE WITHIN THE MINUTES WHICH REFLECTED MARCH 18 2026 ON THE CITY WEBSITE
AGENDA, UPON REVIEW, THE CORRECT MEETING DATE OF THE MINUTES WAS CONFIRMED TO BE MARCH 4 2026. THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED WAS PUT TO A VOTE AND DULY CARRIED.
Approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioner Torres, Commissioner Ordorica, Commissioner Lara, Vice Chairperson Fonseca, Chairperson Murillo.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS):
“The public may address the Commission on any item of interest to the public that is not on the agenda, but is within the subject matter jurisdiction thereof. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes.” Public Comments Opened at 6:05 PM by Chair Murillo.
Public Comments Closed at 6:05 PM by Chair Murillo.
REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
NON-HEARING ITEMS:
2. Nomination for the positions of Planning Commission Chairperson and Planning Commission Vice Chairperson.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TORRES AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ORDORICA TO SELECT COMMISSIONER LARA AS PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON.
Approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Ordorica, Commissioner Torres, Chairperson Murillo.
NOES: Vice Chairperson Fonseca.
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARA AND SECOND BY COMMISSION TORRES TO SELECT COMMISSIONER TORRES AS PLANNING COMMISSION VICE CHAIRPERSON.
Approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioner Lara, Commissioner Ordorica, Commissioner Torres, Vice NOES: Chairperson Fonseca, Chairperson Murillo.
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None.
3. Annual Progress Report (APR) for Housing and General Plan Implementation Update.
Anahi Fernandez, Management Analyst, gave a brief presentation for the item. A copy of the presentation is on file with the Planning Division.
PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR (QUASI-JUDICIAL):
INFORMATIONAL:
* Our former City Manager, Bill Patterson, officially retired effective yesterday. We now have an Interim City Manager, Mr. Gabriel Gonzalez. The city has actively begun the process of recruiting a permanent City Manager. In the meantime, Mr. Gonzalez will serve in this role until a permanent replacement is selected.
* The city is hosting the Mariachi Festival this weekend, information will be provided upon request.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:28 P.M.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY,
KENDRA REIF
PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY
Complete Agenda Packets are available for public inspection in the Development Services Department at 53-990 Enterprise Way, Coachella, California, and on the City’s website www.coachella.org.