City Council Chamber
Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
CITY OF MERCED
Minutes
Planning Commission
6:00 PMWednesday, May 20, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson GONZALEZ called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
A.1. Moment of Silence
A.2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Commissioner OCHOA led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
B. ROLL CALL
Clerk's Note: The Commission has 1 vacancy at this time. Commissioner SWIGGART was absent, excused.
Chair Anthony Gonzalez, Member Walter Smith, Member Emanuelle Ochoa, Vice Chair Jeremiah Greggains, and Member Jerry Vue
Present: 5 -
Member Conchita SwiggartAbsent: 1 -
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS
D.1. SUBJECT: Minor Modification # 26-0008 and Environmental Review #26-0061
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff recommends that this item be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of June 3, 2026, to allow staff additional time to conduct research.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission continue this item to the Planning Commission meeting of June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, in the City Council of Chambers.
Planner ABARCA informed the Commission that staff needs more time to conduct more research into the project.
May 20, 2026Planning Commission Minutes
There was no one present wishing to speak regarding the project; therefore, public testimony was opened and closed at 6:05 PM.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Greggains, seconded by Chairperson Gonzalez and carried by the following vote, to continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission Meeting of June 3, 2026.
Aye: Chair Gonzalez
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
Vice Chair Greggains
Member Vue
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Swiggart1 -
E. ACTION ITEMS
E.1. SUBJECT: Annual Review of the Five -Year (2026-2031) Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Determination of Whether the Individual Projects are Consistent with the General Plan Maps, Policies, and Principles and Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Consistency with the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan
ACTION Adopt a finding that the CIP is consistent with the General Plan
SUMMARY
A function of the Planning Commission is the annual review of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is a list of the physical improvements the City plans on funding and constructing over the next five years. The Planning Commission’s role is to determine whether the individual projects are consistent with the General Plan maps, policies, and principles. The Draft Project List for the 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Program document is provided at Attachment A with the entire 2026 -2031 CIP provided at Attachment B. Please note that the budget numbers are still being finalized so they are subject to change prior to City Council consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the Draft Five- Year Capital Improvement Program is consistent with the “Merced Vision 2030 General Plan” and related master plans.
The Commission tabled this item.
E.2. SUBJECT: Recommendation to City Council to adopt an Urgency
May 20, 2026Planning Commission Minutes
Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Food Trucks in Fixed Locations Pursuant to Government Code Section 65858 to Consider Amending Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 20.44.020 - Food Trucks in Fixed Locations
ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Resolution to recommend the Merced City Council
adopt an Urgency Ordinance Establishing a
Temporary Moratorium on Food Trucks in Fixed
Locations Pursuant to California Government
Code Section 65858
RECOMMENDATION
Planning Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council:
• Adopt an urgency notice to establish a temporary moratorium on new approvals under Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 20.44.020, Food Trucks in Fixed Locations; and
• Direct staff to prepare comprehensive amendments to MMC Chapter
20.44.020 to address concentration, location, land -use compatibility, and community impacts associated with food trucks operating in fixed locations.
Planning Manager RASHE reviewed the report on this item. For further information, refer to Staff Report #26-435.
There was no one present wishing to speak regarding the project; therefore, public testimony was opened and closed at 6:17 PM.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Greggains, seconded by Member Ochoa and carried by the following vote to recommend approval of an Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Food Trucks in Fixed Locations to City Council.
Aye: Chair Gonzalez
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
Vice Chair Greggains
Member Vue
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Swiggart1 -
F BUSINESS
May 20, 2026Planning Commission Minutes
F.1. SUBJECT: Report by Planning Manager of Upcoming Agenda Items ACTION
Information only.
Planning Manager RASHE went over items for the next several Planning Commission meetings.
F.2. SUBJECT: Calendar of Meetings/Events
May 18 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
20 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
Jun. 1 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
3 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
15 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
17 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
July 6 City Council, 6:00 p.m.
8 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.
G. ADJOURNMENT
Clerk's Note: The Regular Meeting adjourned at 6:24 PM.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Greggains, seconded by Chairperson Gonzalez and carried by the following vote, to adjourn the Regular Meeting.
Aye: Chair Gonzalez
Member Smith
Member Ochoa
Vice Chair Greggains
Member Vue
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Member Swiggart1 -