Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

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Welcome to the City of Bakersfield Planning Commission meeting. This television broadcast is brought to you by the local cable companies, the County of Kern, and the City of Bakersfield. You can watch the rebroadcast of this meeting Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. The agenda for this meeting can be downloaded at www.bakersfieldcity.us. Presiding over this evening's meeting, Chair Adam STRIKLAND.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO CALL TO ORDER THE MARCH 19th, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?

CHAIR STRIKLAND?

HERE.

VICE CHAIR BIDDLE? COMMISSIONER BRANT OLIVER? COMMISSIONER KAITER?

HERE.

COMMISSIONER KORH? HERE. COMMISSIONER MARTIN?

HERE. THANK YOU. Madam Clerk, next item please.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING TONIGHT'S PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. THIS COMMISSION PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD. THE PLANNING COMMISSION CONSIDERS A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS INCLUDING SUBDIVISION MAPS, ZONE CHANGES, GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS AND MORE. WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED, THE CITY PLANNING DIVISION ANALYZES THE REQUEST, PLANNING STAFF WILL PRESENT THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROJECT ALONG WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHO WILL APPROVE THE ITEM OR MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AS APPROPRIATE. MADAM CLER

Public statements.

Public now, two words and I messed it up. Public statements are now received at different times depending on the item. I will now call on Madam Clerk to call for public statements at the appropriate time. So please listen carefully for the correct time to speak.

Non-agenda item 3A, public statements.

Does anyone in the audience wish to address the commission regarding items that are not listed on tonight's agenda? If so, please come forward and state your name. Seeing none.

Agenda item 3B, public statements.

Does anyone in the audience wish to address the commission regarding items listed on tonight's agenda? If you are here for non-consent public hearing item 6A, now is not the time to speak. You will be given an opportunity to speak at a later time. Seeing none. Madam Clerk, next item, please.

Agenda item 4, consent calendar items.

All items listed under the consent items do not require a public hearing and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of said items unless staff or commissioner requests specific items to be discussed and or removed for separate action. May I get a motion approving consent items 4A?

I'll make a motion.

I'll second.

Seconded.

Madam Clerk, can we please cast your votes.

MOTION PASSES WITH VICE CHAIR BITTLE AND COMMISSIONER BRANT OLIVER ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. NEXT ITEM, PLEASE.

AGENDA ITEM 5, CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. If the item is not removed by commission or staff or a member of the public, the commission will vote on all items in one motion without further comment. If an item is removed, it will be placed at the end of the non-consent public hearing items. At this time, it will open the consent calendar public hearing items. Does any member of the public wish to remove a consent calendar public hearing item? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and identify which item you'd like to remove. Just one second. If you could pull that mic closer to you, and then just state your name and the item to remove, and then we'll move it to the end of the agenda.

My name is Laura Lee Long, and the item I'd like to do is 5C. Okay, thank you.

Kathy Wright, same item, 5C.

Okay, thank you. It'll be at the end of the non-consent. Thank you.

DOES ANY COMMISSIONER WISH TO REMOVE A CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARING ITEM? SEEING NONE, AT THIS TIME THE CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS NOT REMOVED ARE NOW CLOSED. MAY I GET A MOTION TO ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS NOT REMOVED INCORPORATING ALL STAFF MEMORANDUM REVISED STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS?

SO MOVED.

I'LL SECOND.

Commissioner Morton moved. Commissioner Cater seconded. Commissioners, please cast your votes.

And let the record reflect that Commissioner Biddle showed up at 5.36 p.m.

Motion passes with Commissioner Brandt-Oliver and Vice Chair Biddle was absent for the vote, but now she's here.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item, please.

Agenda item six, non-consent public hearing items.

Now is the time for non-consent public hearing items. Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that we received a blue memo from staff recommending this item be continued to the May 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting in order to give the applicant time to respond to a comment received. While the public can still make public comments today, we encourage you to wait until the item is heard on May 7, 2026.

You have to open the hearing now.

Flipped the wrong page. The public hearing is now open. Is there anyone who wishes to speak in favor of the project? Please step forward to the microphone and identify yourself and proceed.

Good evening, everyone. Sorry, this is item 6A.

Seeing none, is there anyone who wishes to speak in opposition of the project? If so, please step forward, identify yourself, and proceed. Seeing none, may I get a motion to continue item 6A to the May 7th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting?

I'll make a motion.

Commissioner Cater? I'll second. COMMISSIONER MARTIN BY A HAIR.

COMMISSIONERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

JUST ON THE VOTE SCREEN IT'S FOR APPROVING IS THE VERBAGE ON THE VOTE SCREEN.

IT SHOULD BE TO CONTINUE.

OKAY. APPROVING TO CONTINUE.

Motion passes with Commissioner Brandt, Oliver absent.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item, please.

Item 5C.

Item 5C, which is now in non-consent public hearings. All right. Oh, no.

All right. Thank you. This is for Item 5C, move to non-consent public hearings. Now is the time for non-consent public hearing items. Before we begin, I would like to explain how the hearing will be conducted. Staff will first give a report, then those in favor of the project will be allowed to speak. Those in opposition to the project will be given time to speak after all those in favor have spoken. Each side will be given five minutes to provide rebuttal comments. Individual speakers may ask questions during their statements, but questions will not be answered until a public hearing on that item is closed. Written comments may be given to the clerk who will provide copies to the commission. Please be respectful of others participating at the hearing by not repeating the remarks of previous speakers and presenting any new comments or thoughts in a clear and concise way. Staff, will you please give us your report?

Yes. I'd like to welcome Assistant Planner Andrea Murillo to present.

Thank you.

Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Andrea Morello, Assistant Planner with the Development Services Department. I am here to present item 5C, Conditional Use Permit 25-0026 and Zone Modification 25-0008. The applicant, MA Architecture, representing the property owners of St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church, proposes to install two pickleball courts and a soccer field at the southeasternmost grassy area directly adjacent to the White Lane and Parkview Drive intersection. The Bakersfield Municipal Code identifies such uses as quasi-public because although the recreational facilities are primarily intended for the members of the church, the church itself is open to the public and may be accessed by individuals. Additionally, the applicant is requesting a zone modification to A, reduce the required 10-foot setback to 5 feet along Parkview Drive, B, increase the allowed fence height from 4 feet to 18 feet, and C, allow for 11 20-foot tall lighting fixtures. All modifications are only applied to the recreational facilities area of the property and will allow for the erection of necessary fencing and lighting to keep balls, children, and spectators on the property and not to escape into the roadways. Public notice of this hearing was provided in accordance with the city ordinance and state laws. As of this hearing, no written public comments have been received. Staff finds that the proposed request is a desirable addition to the public's welfare and is in harmony with key objectives of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan. That concludes my presentation of the project. Thank you.

Thank you. The public hearing is now open. Is there anyone who wishes to speak in favor of the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed.

Good evening, Commissioner.

My name is Nadeem Sarkis. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about this small project, but very important project to our church. As an active member in San Damiano Church in Bakersfield, I believe remodeling the existed playground will be more designed a playground which bring numerous benefits to all the children of Saint Damiana Church in Bakersfield and the community if somebody would like to participate. A dedicated play area like this will provide a safe, accessible space for the children to engage in these hour-door activities, fostering physical health, social development. It also will serve as a gardening spot, which promotes bonding among families, encouraging positive interactions and a sense of unity within our church members. This playground area will provide a secure, well-supervised space for the children to engage in an active sport away from busy streets and parks. And it's not a secret. I have to admit, the park we have across the street from the church, way completely different at these days in a lot of things compared to 20 years ago when we put this church there. A lot of bad activities, a lot of bad people. It's not my business. My business is to protect my kids and find the right space for them. Our church community is committed to work collaboratively with the city officials to ensure that this project will be completed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with all regulations. This playground project will plan the strategy. from installation of the new areas to long-term maintaining it to ensure that will remain a positive asset for years to come. I appreciate the opportunity for letting me to talk about it. Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Sir, could you please state your name one more time?

Nadeem Sarkies, S-A-R-K-I-E-S.

Thank you very much.

Resident in Bakersfield for over 35 years. But I want to be that.

Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak in favor of the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself and proceed.

I'm I'm the project architect on this project and a member of the church. I just want to explain why we're doing this project here. We had several problems with the existing playground right now at the same location where kids chase the bull outside the fence. And we have multiple accidents or could be a huge accident. Once kids start to chase the bull outside, problems with traffic and we're trying to protect our kids and we're building this just to have a safe play area for them and I just want to emphasize that it is an existing playground for the approved plans and we're just making it you know we're surrounding it with fencing just to make sure that kids stay in there and don't try to chase the bull out the walls outside. Thank you.

Can you spell your first and last name, please?

Mina Arsenius, M-I-N-A, Arsenius, A-R-S-A-N-I-O-U-S.

Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak in favor of the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed. Seeing none, is there anyone who wishes to speak in opposition to the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed.

My name is Laura Lee Long, and my property is one of the four houses that is right next, not to the, it's on the parking lot side, is where our houses are. The things that they're talking about doing and moving the fence so that they have more room, I understand what they're trying to do. But if you do that, I have two big dogs that I walk every day. And I walk around the church. It will make it more difficult for me to walk around the church. I have lived in this house for 36 years. I have six children, four boys who played soccer from the time they were five. And I have one that still continues to play. He is 45. The type of 18-foot fence that they're talking about, I have seen in other places. You hope that this will stop the balls from going. It does some, but it doesn't stop all. If you look at the corner right there, we have several accidents at that corner. And they're not because the kids were running across the street. They're because people are coming around the corner and they're too fast. So I look at that and I go, hmm, I think if you could just take your kids across to the park, which is right there, and the pickleball park is in Campus Park. then they would have more room to play. And I think it would just be a better place for them. I am a retired school teacher. I have taught several of the students that attend this church. And I want them to be safe. But at the same time, this is where my home is. And I don't want it to be destroyed. When I look at that fence, What you do is you change the whole look of the neighborhood. It may protect the balls. And it will some, but it doesn't to all. So I think they need to rethink what they're doing. And when they say that this is something that everybody could come to, they have a gate. And if you have the key, then you could get in. It's not something where everyone could get in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Long.

Is there anyone else who wishes to speak in opposition of the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed.

Hi, thank you very much. My name's Kathy Wright. I've lived there for 35 years, raised my children, lost my husband. And yes, we definitely want kids to be safe. That's not a question. The question I have is I work. I get up at 5 in the morning. The noise, the traffic, I'm concerned about that. The light, I am very sensitive to light. So yeah, that's my problem there. But I just think it's going to bring a lot more congestion. And even if they stop at 9 o'clock at night, they're going to continue to hang out in the parking lots. And it's going to get noisy. You can't leave your doors and windows open. But I do think kids need a safe place.

But I've lived with that park right across the street from me for 35 years. And it's a beautiful park. The lighting is controlled. They keep it turned down so you don't have bright lights in your face.

You can go outside without fear of being seen trying to get into your pool or something. I would just think they could use the park. And maybe that's being selfish of me, but I do love my sleep. So I don't want to be kept awake at night. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wright.

Is there anyone else who wishes to speak in opposition of the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed.

My name is Pradeep Kullar.

I live behind the church and I just want to bring to the notice that this is a church and you are trying to put a fence over there which is 17-18 feet and it is like a cane fence. You don't want to make the neighborhood like a warehouse, basically. There is a lot of space. There is like a 30-acre park in front of it. There are people playing over there. and you don't need to create another park and church is not that busy which we look at it and they have all the trans stores and everything but it was a what is called a resident free area now you are trying to make first you make it a commercial then you make it a like now you make it a playground over there so it's not like good for the for the community over there and secondly

It's not that busy. They are just trying to occupy more land.

You will create a fence 18 feet just along the pathway.

So people won't have space to go.

nice right now. We have no objection to that. But basically, what they are trying to change is not good from my point of view. And you keep the neighborhood as it is. I am living there for last 25 years. No problem. But then you start building the fences around it. You want to create more space. I don't know what they are trying to achieve to make the Church like, there are a lot of land available. They can make anything what they want anywhere else. But in the same place, you want to create another thing into that. I think, from my point of view, it's not the right way. How the city is giving the permission to this.

So, rest, I think, city will decide how they want to proceed it. But I have put my view here. Thank you.

THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE THAT. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT? IF SO, PLEASE STEP TO THE MICROPHONE, IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND PROCEED.

NOT IN OPPOSITION, HUH?

OKAY.

OKAY.

ANY COMMISSIONER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS TO THE PUBLIC ON THIS ITEM? REMEMBER NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO EXPRESS OPINIONS ON THE MATTER. IT'S ONLY THE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER KOR.

My question is to the staff. Is the fence going to be along the whole property or just on the side where the pickleball court and the soccer field is going to be?

Proposed fence is going to be along the fields of the soccer field and pickle courts, yes. Not along the entire parcel.

Okay, and then the existing fence will just continue along the property. Correct. Okay. And then what about the light? Was there any type of analysis done putting 20 feet high poles up the reflection or glare? Is it going to be bothering anyone on the?

We do have condition number three on that that talks about downward lighting and baffling. And it will be meeting the zoning ordinance in regards to lighting fixtures. So it was looked at and conditioned.

Okay. And is there going to be a time restriction on when the lights need to be shut off by?

The operation of the use here will be 10 o'clock as far as completion and 11 o'clock for the lighting.

OKAY AND DO WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PUT A RESTRICTION ON THE TIMING.

WE HAVE AS A CONDITION.

OKAY.

COMMISSIONER MARTIN.

Just to follow up on Commissioner Kaur's comments. So could we put a, you're saying it's 11 o'clock right now for the lights. Is it possible for us to put an additional, we put an additional restriction on that if we wanted to have it potentially before the 11 o'clock hour?

Yes, Commissioner.

Commissioner, you can do that. You're welcome.

Commissioner Kaur.

And architect mentioned about the accident. Was it related to kids or was it the traffic accidents?

Okay.

Does that answer suffice across or no?

Yeah.

Yeah.

If you don't mind to go to the microphone.

Yeah, kids basically try to chase the bull outside of the fence, and we have multiple incidents there. It didn't be a complete accident, but there is a potential of accident that happens when the kids try to chase the bull outside of the fence.

And currently, is there any playground on the property?

This is the playground.

Okay, so it already exists.

It's already existing, yeah. We're just trying to make it safe for the kids.

That's basically what we're trying to do.

Okay.

Seeing no more, I've just got a question for staff. I don't know if someone from the... Oh, you know what? I'll kick it over to Commissioner Cater.

Sorry, I think I might have only clicked once instead of four times. I don't know however many.

Yeah, but thank you.

My questions are a combination of applicant and staff questions. I was curious about the existing parking lot lighting that exists on the opposite side of the property, if we knew the height of those poles for context.

It could be approximate. Yeah, whoever is best to answer that.

Existing ones now above the residential area, they're ranging between 20 to 24 feet.

20 to 24? Yeah. On the parking lot side?

Yeah.

Thank you. And then this might be a staff question. For a church, do we regulate hours of lighting for parking lots of church structures within residential neighborhoods?

Nothing comes to mind, Commissioner. Okay. So I would say a possibility, but nothing comes to mind. Sorry.

That's okay. So this structure could, by ordinance, be lit 24 hours a day in its current use? Is that kind of the...

Commissioner Tater, currently churches require a CUP.

Yes.

And so as part of the conditions of approval, we could add a restriction on the lighting.

Well, I guess I'd be curious, because this went through a CUP process, but it was many, many years ago, a few decades ago. Are you aware of, do we typically condition churches to have hours of operation when going through this process?

I would have to give back to you on that. I'm not certain.

Okay. And then my other question was looking at the, I'm driving through Google Maps right now, and there's a current turn lane into the playground portion of the property. If you go to the demo site, I believe it's the next plan. Do you have the full drawings up? THE PULL PACKAGE, THERE WAS A DEMOLITION PLAN PROVIDED. MR. CHAIR, WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

THAT'S OKAY.

BUT REGARDLESS, THERE'S AN EXISTING Is this in turnaround in the location of this playground? The demo plan shows a portion of it to be removed. Is the access of that, is the complete turnaround being removed?

No, it's still going to be existing. It basically was a drop-off for a future kindergarten. We ended up not doing it. So basically it's not like a fire lane or a fire turnaround or anything like that. But it's still going to exist and we can actually... The gate is always closed. We never open it, but if for any reason the gate is open, they still can turn around. Okay. Yeah.

Thank you.

And I think those are my, yeah, those are the questions I have for now. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Cater.

I have a question for staff, I think, would be first. Is anyone from the Parks Department here still? No? Darn. No, sure.

Okay.

I was going to ask, do we know what the hours of operation for the public parks are for the lighting?

The public parks are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

So lights off at?

I'M ASSUMING IT'S 10 P.M. GOOD START.

AND THEN I DON'T HAVE, WELL, WITHOUT PARKS DEPARTMENT HERE, I WAS GOING TO ASK IF THE CITY WERE ENCASING A CITY PARK WITH A FENCE AROUND TO PROTECT THE FIELD, DO WE KNOW WHAT THE CITY HEIGHT WOULD BE FOR THAT FENCING?

IF WE WERE

There seems to be no limit from the building department.

Okay.

All right.

And then I guess I'll ask the applicant to round the question out is where did the height of the fencing come from? What studies were performed to show that that'll have any kind of impact on balls or children going into the roadways.

Yeah, the fencing is basically, it's a four-foot fence with a fabric fence open. So it's fabric all around the soccer field. So it's not going to block views, not going to do anything. And actually, it's going to be the actual fencing. The four feet is lower than the existing one right now, which is about six feet. That's around the soccer field. The other fence is... It's going to be at White Lane behind the pickleball courts. This is the big one, the 16 feet. And this is going to be typically similar to baseball cages. This is where we got it from. And it's going to open. It's going to be open. It's going to be chain link fence. It's not going to block any view. From point of view, you're not going to be able to see it from far. And we're not building a CMU wall there, just a chain link fence.

Thank you. I believe that's all my questions at this point. Thank you.

Oh, I have one. Sorry. I think I'm a little confused now. So is the netting going to be the 18 feet and the chain link fence is only going to be four feet, or is it going to be chain link all the way up?

So there's two different fencing here. The soccer field itself has a four-foot fence with netting up to whatever, I think it's 24 or something, all around, which is fabric. And the other fence is behind the Bickleball court or the Bickleball field, two of them. It's going to be chain link fence, 16 feet.

I'M GOING TO, I STRUGGLE FOR THOSE WATCHING AT HOME, THE TWO PEOPLE, AND THOSE IN THE ROOM BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THIS TO SHOW. SO I JUST WANT TO ASK POINTEDLY TO THE, I GUESS THE APPLICANT, THE EXISTING FOUR-FOOT ROD AREN FENCE ON PARK VIEW, IS THAT GOING TO BE IN CASE AT ALL? IS THAT NEW FENCING? I know. The existing one is six feet. The existing six-foot fence on Parkview. That's a six-foot fence? How big of a car was this Google vehicle? Good heavens. Okay, so I think part of the question, question, not comment, which fences abutting public view are going to be increased to an 18-foot height?

It's basically 16-foot up-butting white lane. That's the only fence. The other one is just knitting. It's a four-foot, you know, barricade. It's not a fence. It's a barricade for the soccer field, and it's just knitting above that.

Okay, so just the one on the white lane view is the one that's getting increased.

Yes.

And that's just netting above, you said, four-foot is the height from where it transitions to all netting, or...? For the soccer field, yes. Okay. And then... Did the applicant provide the material to be used for the netting? Because you said it's not visible.

It's fabric.

Right, but fabric. I mean, my shirt's fabric. Is it, like, what kind of mesh material is it, I think?

It's just strokes, I guess.

Okay.

Yeah.

All right. I think that's fair enough. That was the only question I had.

Thank you.

All right. Is there anyone who wishes to provide a rebuttal on this item? If so, please be prepared to step to the podium. Each side will have only five minutes, so make your comments succinctly without repeating the remarks of previous speakers to ensure that everyone wishing to provide rebuttal comments has had a chance to do so. And Madam Clerk will put a five-minute timer on. Rebuttal comments would start with those in favor since opposition spoke last. So the question is, is there anyone in favor that would like to provide a rebuttal?

Again, my name, Nadeem Sarkis. I hear a lot of question about the lightning. What we have right now, all the parking lot lights on timer, and it turn off at 10 o'clock sharp. And all the lights, about three balls next to the fence between the parking lot and the homes, we have a shield behind it. So nothing at all going to any of these homes. The reason we know this, because the church owned the first house on the street, where the other houses, I believe the other people talk about. And whatever we have right now in this playground, and when we take the kids sometime late to the park, our cutoff time between 8.30 and 9 o'clock. No family want to stay after this. We all have kids. They have school the next day. So between 8.30, 9 o'clock. So even if they would like to condition in our project that we need to turn the lights off and everybody has to leave the property by 9 o'clock, it's more than enough for our kids. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Is there anyone else who wishes to provide rebuttal comments in favor of the project? Seeing no additional, is there anyone who wishes to provide rebuttal comments in opposition to the project? If so, please step to the microphone, identify yourself, and proceed.

My name is Pradeep Kullar. I came in here before. They are saying they are not making the fence high, high to up to 18 feet. They are moving the fence also. They will basically, that nobody tried to read it, it says here, they will move the fence just along where the pavement is. So basically, when you see this kind of a structure there, It looks like a warehouse basically. You don't leave a space where the people can walk over there. You go along the white lane. There is no place to walk along that. So that's why city has made a what is called a According to the design, they always leave the space between the pavement and where the structure starts. So basically, these fans, they will put 18 feet. If they put the facts 18 feet, then they will put the lights too high. And you see, White Lane starts from, it goes, if you start from the 99, it goes toward the west, it turns around. I think those lights which they will put over there Maybe somebody will get blinded out when you see that. There are a lot of accidents happen on Parkview and White Lane. You can see that. You can see that because the White Lane turns making curve over there. Then they make the curve over there. Lot of accidents happen. If they put the lights, have anybody studied that? That the lights will blind somebody who's driving? Nobody tried that. And I think they should look into that one and Thus, when you put a 18 feet height fence, again I repeat that it will become like a very enclosed place. You are trying to make a church for a community purposes. You don't want to make it like a warehouse. We are all around. We live over there and basically we are living in a nice place. We bought the house over there and then we lived there. Kids went around the school. There is a big park around there. If they want to keep the games, they can keep the games in the park. There is a pin oak park over there. But why they want to create another space over there and then change the whole plan around this structure? If it's a church, church has the place. They have designed it. City has given them the permission. So they should unclose whatever they want to do it here. Again, they want to change it. Next time, they will bring another thing. Then it will begin a three-story building. I think that is my objection to that is. So lights, you need to check that on the other side when they put the field, there will be big lights. If 18 feet the fence, I don't know how many feet will be the height of the light. And the light will, I think, blind somebody coming, the traffic going from east to west and it curves around there. Plus, the place will not... WILL NOT LOOK LIKE A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

BASICALLY, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PRADEEP.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF THE PROJECT FOR REBUTTAL? WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE 51 ON THE CLOCK, SO BE MINDFUL. PLEASE STEP TO THE MICROPHONE, IDENTIFY YOURSELF, AND PROCEED.

Kathy Wright. I just want to say the fence is six foot wrought iron. And it is nice. It looks nice. There's not a lot of room between the grass and the sidewalk. So it does limit kids riding bikes if they're going to move that fence out to the sidewalk. And we are losing our privacy. And that's, I totally get what Pardeep's saying. It's hard to give up what we've had, and it just keeps taking over. But I don't know who's in control of their timers, because the lights are definitely an issue throughout the night, at least most nights. So I would just like to ask if who's in charge of timers, if they can be shut off earlier. The netting versus the chain link, I believe the chain link is just White Lane. And the netting they're wanting to put is on Parkview. But I really think there's going to be some major accidents with balls. Balls go everywhere. I've got kids. And they're talking about 14, I think, or 16-foot netting, where the plans show 18-foot chain link. So I'm not sure where they're putting the chain link fence and where they're putting the netting. But I think there's going to be some serious accidents there, because I know if I'm driving that corner and I get hit with a ball, I'm going to be stunned.

And that could cause an accident. BUT NOBODY IS COMMUNICATING OR TELLING ANYBODY ANYTHING OF WHAT'S GOING ON. IT'S A PROBLEM.

THANK YOU.

DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION? TECHNICALLY THERE ARE SEVEN SECONDS LEFT. SEEING NONE, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM AND RETURN IT TO COMMISSION FOR COMMENT AND ACTION.

COMMISSIONER.

CORE? I THINK YOU. ARE WE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS BASED ON.

I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION.

OKAY.

I WAS TRYING TO READ THE PLANS, BUT IS THE FENCE GOING TO BE MOVED MORE TOWARDS THE SIDEWALK OR THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE MORE OF THAT GRASS AREA IN BETWEEN?

YOU HAVE TO COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE TO ANSWER. AND I WOULD SAY THAT THE QUESTIONS PORTION ALREADY ENDED, SO IF YOU CAN LIMIT SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS LEFT AS A QUESTION. THANK YOU.

Okay, so we're not moving the existing fence. That's my answer. The existing fence will stay where it is and we're building inside the property. We're not going anywhere outside of the property line.

Thank you. Commissioner Martin.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, I think I understand what everybody is, on both sides of this. I think Commissioner Cater brought up a good point. So we understand, you know, what have we said at our public parks if that's 10 o'clock? Have we done this with other churches? I was kind of trying to get a gauge on that as if we're saying that they technically couldn't until 11. And a little... problem with that but i also think uh with mr sarkey says and and who's the applicant saying that they do have their timers and they do turn this off at 10 and 9 30 even to be a good neighbor so potentially maybe this commission doesn't even need to put those restrictions and have government involved if they are being good neighbors already with with the lighting that they have in their parking lot. And at such time, maybe they don't do that and they do keep them on overnight, then maybe we could address that there. But I think overall, I think it's a good use and the fencing with the netting seems to make good sense so that there are no, or at least limits exposure to liability and accidents with certainly with pickleball and those things and soccer as well. So I think the applicant has shown due diligence in that. to the best of their ability. And if lighting became an issue in the future, that we could look at something at that time. But why put a restriction on if they're already doing so with the lights that they have in the parking lot? So I'm in favor of moving this forward with staff's recommendation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Commissioner Morton. I will look for other commission comments, motions, discussion. YES.

SO LOOKING AT THE PLAN, I THINK THE helpful in walking around the site uh online um to note there really is no modification from the existing six foot fence towards the public right away so the sidewalk as narrow as it may be does comply with what we required at the time of the building for city sidewalk widths and so i think that's a bigger conversation about how we design sidewalks than a project specific I think in looking at the current use of this portion of the site, churches are places of community. They're places of gathering. They're places of camaraderie, safe spaces for kids and families to interact with one another. And these added uses just feel like a church that has found its home and settled into its home and realized that there are different needs than maybe when they first built. Maybe they couldn't They didn't have the resources to do this, and this is maybe a phase two or phase three. I think fencing is very... Thinking of other sports facilities that exist on thoroughfares, be it the tennis courts of Jastrow Park or the former tennis club on Ming Avenue, I think it's something that is not unique to this site, something that we see throughout town. And again, I would ask for staff to... To me, I don't see a compelling reason that we would condition this project further than we condition being neighborly in our own city parks. Because if anything, this is further away from direct neighbors than the active facilities of Pinoc Park and some of our other city parks. One question I did have is... with regards to context the proposal does remove 12 trees from the site and i was wondering i don't see any plans for the project to put any trees back for those that were removed it is being replaced with a significant amount of hardscape so i was wondering if replacing the existing trees could be a condition added to the project from a neighborly perspective

Yes, that was looked at during the review and discussed with the applicant. The trees have been planted already and provided to staff.

So they're already existing on site? Yes. In new locations? Yes, Commissioner. Thank you for that clarification.

You're welcome. Mr. Huckis. Yes, sir. Okay.

So, I mean, with that, I think I will let other commissioners speak, but I would be happy to make a motion.

Vice Chair Biddle.

Oh, let me see.

Oh, I'm also going to join in the comparisons real quick. I do want to make a comment on the lighting and the conditions. If I didn't misunderstand staff earlier, it sounds like the conditions we have on the lighting and this are less late than the public parks, right? We conditioned this for 11 p.m. public parks or 10 p.m.?

I can't speak about the public parks, but I believe they are 10 o'clock. And yes, this is 11 o'clock.

So just I would raise to my commissioners that although there is a condition in the application for lighting, we're not asking them to turn them off at 6 p.m. It's 11 o'clock at night. Pickleball's done, usually, that late. So that would be my comment. I just want to compare the project for this church versus one I live near. There's a church near me that has a bunch of soccer fields, and I love it. You go by, kids are playing all the time, and it's beside two major highways, and there's not a single fence or protection to keep those kids from running into the yard. I know I seem like I had a problem with the height of the fence. I more have a problem with trying to understand where the height of the netting came in to make sure it's sufficient. What I don't want to do is have neighbors look at a 16 or 18 foot tall net and then still have events, right? That's my concern. Not that the netting is too large, but necessarily that is it really fixing the problem or are we taking a shot at it fixing the problem? So it's not a question. I can't ask questions. I'm just, it's a rhetorical question, I guess. So that was my only comment on the netting is more so I really hope it's an effective approach on it because I know based on the map set, it doesn't really cover the soccer field. And, you know, it's just the pickleball, but I've seen kids miss a soccer goal pretty wide. then that is solved for me from the mystery voice in my head. So with that being said, I think I made a comment on my opinion on the lighting, but I will leave this for my commissioners for an opinion.

I'll motion to accept staff's recommendation and move this forward.

And I'll second it.

Motion by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Vice Commissioner Biddle. COMMISSIONER'S VICE CHAIR BIDDLE.

MOTION PASSES WITH COMMISSIONER BRANT OLIVER ABSENT.

THANK YOU MADAM CLERK. NEXT ITEM PLEASE.

AGENDA ITEM 7 COMMUNICATIONS.

DOES STAFF HAVE ANY COMMUNICATION ITEMS.

If I may read the appeal portion.

Every time, yes.

You may appeal a commission decision to the city council by submitting your request in writing with the city clerk within 10 days of the date of the commission's decision. Your appeal must state the reason for the appeal and the relation to the project. There may be a filing fee required. Thank you, chair.

Thank you, sir. Madam clerk, next item, please.

Agenda item seven, communications.

Does staff have any communication items?

Yes, I do. There will be an April 2nd Planning Commission meeting.

Thank you, sir. Madam staff, next item, please.

Agenda item eight, commissioner comments.

Does any commissioner have any comments? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, next item, please.

Agenda item nine, adjournment.

The March 19th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting is adjourned at 6.24 p.m.