City Council Chamber
Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Planning Commission
6:00 PMWednesday, October 4, 2023
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson HARRIS called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
A.1. Moment of Silence
A.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Commissioner SMITH led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. ROLL CALL
Chairperson HARRIS honored and congratulated Scott MCBRIDE for his recent appointment to City Manager.
Chairperson Michael Harris, Vice Chair Mary Camper, Member Anthony Gonzalez, Member Yang Pao Thao, Member Walter Smith, and Member Emanuelle Ochoa
Present: 6 -
Member Jose DelgadilloAbsent: 1 -
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Speakers from the Audience
MITCHELL VINCIGUERRA, NorCal Carpenter's Union
TEMO AGUILAR, NorCal Carpenter's Union
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
D.1 SUBJECT: Planning Commission Minutes of September 6, 2023 ACTION:
Approving and filing the Planning Commission Minutes of September 6, 2023
A motion was made by Member Ochoa, seconded by Vice Chair Camper and carried by the following vote, to approve the Consent Agenda.
October 4, 2023Planning Commission Minutes
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS
E.1 SUBJECT: Vacation #23-03 - initiated by the Richman Group on behalf of Devonwood 64, LP, property owner, to abandon a 64-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) on the south side of Devonwood Drive, west of Bannon Lane.
ACTION FINDING:
1) The proposed Vacation is consistent with the
General Plan.
SUMMARY
This request is to vacate a 64-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) on the south side of Devonwood Drive, west of Bannon Lane. The applicant would grant a new 40-foot-wide PUE to accommodate the existing utilities in the area.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Finding that the proposed Vacation is consistent with the General Plan.
Senior Planner NELSON reviewed the report on this item. For further information, refer to Staff Report #23-837.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Camper, seconded by Member Gonzalez and carried by the following vote, to adopt a Finding that Vacation #23-03 is consistent with the General Plan.
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
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E.2 SUBJECT: Vacation #23-04 - initiated by the Merced City School District, property owner, to abandon a 15-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) on their property located at 2111 Wardrobe Avenue.
ACTION FINDING:
1) The proposed Vacation is consistent with the
General Plan.
SUMMARY
This request is to vacate a 15-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) that generally runs north and south through the property at 2111 Wardrobe Avenue. The applicant would grant a new 15-foot-wide PUE to accommodate the existing utilities in the area.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Finding that the proposed Vacation is consistent with the General Plan.
A motion was made by Member Ochoa, seconded by Vice Chair Camper and carried by the following vote, to adopt a Finding that Vacation #23-04 is consistent with the General Plan.
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
E.3 SUBJECT: Density Bonus # 23-02, initiated by the Richman Group, on behalf of Devonwood 64, LP, property owner. This application involves a request to reduce the minimum parking requirements and concessions for relief from certain Design Standards for Multi -family Dwellings. The reduction in parking requirements and granting of concessions would allow the construction of a 156-unit affordable apartment complex on approximately 5.9 acres of land, generally located on the south side of Devonwood Drive between Loughborough Drive and Austin Avenue.
ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION:
Recommendation to City Council
1) Environmental Review #23-30 (Categorical
Exemption)
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2) Density Bonus Application #23-02
CITY COUNCIL:
Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Environmental Review #23-30 (Categorical
Exemption)
2) Density Bonus Application #23-02
SUMMARY
This is a request to consider Density Bonus # 23-02 which would allow a reduction to the minimum parking requirements and concessions for relief from certain Design Standards for Multi -family Dwellings. Approval of the Density Bonus would allow the construction of a 100% affordable apartment complex with 156 units on the south side of Devonwood Drive, between Loughborough Drive and Austin Avenue. Staff is recommending the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council. No public hearing is required per state statutes and local ordinances.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of Environmental Review # 23-30 (Categorical Exemption) and Density Bonus # 23-02 (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution at Attachment A) subject to the findings /considerations in Exhibit A of the Draft Resolution.
Senior Planner NELSON reviewed the report on this item. For further information, refer to Staff Report #23-824.
A motion was made by Member Gonzalez, seconded by Member Thao and carried by the following vote, to recommend to City Council adoption of a Categorical Exemption regarding Environmental Review # 23-30 and approval of Density Bonus # 23-02, subject to the Findings set forth in Staff Report # 23-824 (RESOLUTION #4123).
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
E.4 SUBJECT: Annexation and Prezoning Application #22-01, initiated by the City of Merced, on behalf of the Regents of the University of
October 4, 2023Planning Commission Minutes
California, property owners. The application would involve the annexation of the University of California, Merced Main Campus as described in the University of California, Merced 2020 Long-Range Development Plan (dated March 2020) consisting of approximately 1,125 acres to the City of Merced and prezoning of the property to “Public Facility” (P-F) as well as the annexation of the 2-mile long section of Bellevue Road right-of-way from the current Merced City Limits at G Street to Lake Road (approximately 14 acres) for a total of 1,139 acres, as allowed by Assembly Bill 3312 (enacted in 2020) for a total annexation area of 1,139 acres. The UC Campus is generally located at the northeast and southeast corners of Bellevue and Lake Roads with a General Plan designation of “School.”**PUBLIC HEARING**
ACTION PLANNING COMMISSION:
Recommendation to City Council
1) Environmental Review #22-15 (Addendum to
Merced Vision 2030 General Plan EIR)
2) Annexation #22-01
3) Prezoning #22-01
CITY COUNCIL:
Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Environmental Review #22-15 (Addendum to
Merced Vision 2030 General Plan EIR)
2) Annexation #22-01
3) Prezoning #22-01
SUMMARY
The application includes the annexation of the approximately 1,125-acre University of California Merced Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) area as well as the 2-mile-long right-of-way for Bellevue Road from G Street to Lake Road (approximately 14 acres) (Attachment B). The UC Campus land would be prezoned “Public Facility” (P-F). The UC and the City are in agreement on this annexation. Staff is recommending the Planning Commission recommend approval of this annexation to the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of Environmental Review #22-15 [Addendum to the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan Environmental Impact Report] and Annexation and Prezoning Applications #22-01 (including the adoption
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of the Draft Resolution at Attachment A) subject to the findings/ considerations in Exhibit A of the Draft Resolution at Attachment A.
Senior Planner NELSON reviewed the report on this item. For further information, refer to Staff Report #23-102.
Public Testimony was opened at 6:52 PM.
Speaker from the Audience in Favor
DANIEL OKOLI, Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, UC Merced There were no speakers in opposition to the project.
Public Testimony was closed at 6:57 PM.
A motion was made by Member Ochoa, seconded by Member Gonzalez and carried by the following vote, to recommend to City Council adoption of Environmental Review #22-15 [Addendum to the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan EIR] and approval of Annexation and Prezoning Applications #22-01, subject to the Findings set forth in Staff Report #23-102 (RESOLUTION #4124)
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
E.5 SUBJECT: Continued Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson ACTION
Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
Vice Chair CAMPER nominated Chairperson HARRIS to continue as Chairperson. Commissioner OCHOA nominated Vice Chair CAMPER to continue as Vice Chair. Both Chairperson HARRIS and Vice Chair CAMPER accepted the nominations. There were no other nominations for Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Camper, seconded by Member Ochoa and carried by the following vote, to elect Mike Harris as Chairperson and Mary Camper as Vice Chairperson.
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Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -
F. INFORMATION ITEMS
F.1 SUBJECT: Report by Director of Development Services of Upcoming Agenda Items
ACTION
Information only.
Director of Development Services MCBRIDE went over items for the next several Planning Commission meetings.
F.2 SUBJECT: Calendar of Meetings/Events
Oct 2 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
4 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
16 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
18 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
24 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, 4:00 p.m.
Nov 6 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
8 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
20 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
22 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Regular Meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.
A motion was made by Member Gonzalez, seconded by Member Ochoa and carried by the following vote, to adjourn the Regular Meeting.
Aye: Chairperson Harris
Vice Chair Camper
Member Gonzalez
Member Pao Thao
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
6 -
October 4, 2023Planning Commission Minutes
No: 0
Absent: Member Delgadillo1 -