City of Orange
Planning Commission
September 15, 2025
MINUTES - DRAFT
The Planning Commission of the City of Orange, California convened on September 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in a Regular Meeting in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Chair Vejar called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Tim McCormack led the flag salute.
1.2 ROLL CALL
Present: Leslie, Martinez, Vazquez, Tucker, McCormack, and Vejar
Absent: Maldonado
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of said items unless members of the Planning Commission, staff or the public request specific items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
3.1. Approval of meeting minutes of the City of Orange Planning Commission Regular Meeting held on August 18, 2025.
ACTION: Approved minutes as presented.
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker, seconded by Vice Chair Leslie, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Leslie, Martinez, Vazquez, Tucker, McCormack, and VejarAyes:
NoneNoes:
MaldonadoAbsent:
Draft
Planning Commission Minutes - Draft September 15, 2025
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1. Public Hearing to consider an Ordinance modifying the duties and responsibilities of the Design Review Committee and finding of CEQA exemption.
Planning Manager, Hayden Beckman, presented a summary of the proposed Ordinance and reviewed direction from the City Council. Community Development Department Director, Russell Bunim, responded to Commissioner questions regarding use of the term of structures versus properties, and what criteria constitutes historic qualification.
Additional discussion with staff included determination of historic significance, demolition of historic structures, and entitlement review procedures.
Chair Vejar opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m.
Public Speakers:
The following spoke in support of the Ordinance:
Reggie Mundekis
The following spoke in opposition to the Ordinance:
Laura Sandoval, Laura Thomas, Robert Boice, Anne McDermott and Adrienne Gladson.
Chair Vejar closed the public hearing at 6:26 p.m.
Following the public hearing, the Commission discussed the scope of the proposed Ordinance and language amendments. Chair Vejar recommended identifying the threshold of historic significance using a more concise terminology.
A motion was made by Chair Vejar, seconded by Commissioner Leslie to:
1. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 10-25 recommending the City Council adopt an Ordinance amending Title 12, Title 16 and Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code to update duties and responsibilities of the Design Review Committee, and recommending more concise terminology within the Ordinance to identify the threshold of historic significance.
2. Find the Ordinance categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Leslie, Martinez, Vazquez, Tucker, and VejarAyes:
McCormackNoes:
MaldonadoAbsent:
Draft
Planning Commission Minutes - Draft September 15, 2025
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
The next Regular Planning Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber.
__________________________
Hayden Beckman
Planning Manager
Draft