Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the meeting of um January 28, 20 26. Oh boy. Um to order at 6 o'lock. If I could please have roll call later. Present. Commissioner Scarboro Echo present. Commissioner Santos. Commissioner here

and Commissioner France present. Thank you. Thank you. We could all rise for the pledge of allegiance and vice chair. Thank you. Okay, we'll go ahead and move on to item number three, public comment for items not on the agenda. Do we have any?

No, we haven't received none. Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and close the public comment and we'll move on to item number four, rotation of chair and vice chair. Um, we haven't met in about two months. So, this is time that we're going to do the rotation of the chair and vice chair. So, the chair will be Commissioner Fron and the vice chair will be Commissioner Ortiz. Um, so what we could do just quickly change and if the chair can be in the middle and we'll just kind of and then usually the vice chair is to the right or to the left, but if we can go ahead and just make that change and then we'll we can move on um chair with the rest of the agenda. Okay. So, we've now completed the rotation of the chair and vice chair. Uh, we'll go ahead. Um, I guess we have to call the meeting to order again since we rotated. Or is that just an error? Okay. All right. call to order. Um, and we'll go ahead and move on to the minutes. Um, item 6.1, minutes of October 22nd, 2025. Do we have a motion or um, corrections?

I was a motion to approve. I'll second. Can we please have a roll call vote? Commissioner Slater. Thank you. Commissioner Scarbor echo abstain. Santos is absent. Vice chairperson Ortiz. Yes. And chairperson France. Yes. Thank you.

I I do have a question. Was um Commissioner Santos, was he there at that meeting? I think so. But no, I Okay, so let's do this. Um if if he was there at that meeting, um we'll pull we'll bring it back. If he was not there at that meeting, if he was like another abstension, um then what we would do is motion would I would say motion would pass because if not, it would be a legal impossibility not to pass it just because of the abstension. So we'll take a look on our end. Uh for now, I'm going to say conditionally approved based upon uh whether or not Commissioner Santis was there or not. If he if he was there, we'll bring him back. Perfect.

I just wanted to do one quick reminder. Even if you were not at the meeting, if you read the minutes and you review them and you agree with them, you can still vote even if you were not at the meeting. So sometimes if you you're not at the meeting, you think that you can't vote, but you just need to review those minutes and then you're able to vote. Is that correct, attorney?

So this this is first that I'm hearing of it this way. I know that we do that in public hearings. So public hearings when motion when uh public hearings are continued. Uh sometimes we could hear the underlying um uh open meeting and then if it gets continued and if somebody wasn't there that's meetings. I don't know. I would have to look at that. Um I'm not sure but you could very well be correct but I could take a look at that as well because I know we're going to have some of that I think this meeting and possibly next meeting. So I'll make sure to look at it. Yeah. I was actually told that if you watch the meeting and you were absent then you could participate that but that I I don't know for sure if that's right. So, okay. So, we'll go ahead and move on then to item 6.2 minutes from November 12, 2025. If I can have a motion or any corrections.

I a motion to approve. I'll second. Okay. We can have roll call, please. Commissioner Slater, I abstain. Commissioner Scarboro Echo. Commissioner Ortiz. Yes. And chairperson France.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. We'll go ahead and move on to study session item 7.1 planning commission project consultation for proposed development um for 50 parcel housing development. We can have a staff report, please. Yes. Good evening, commissioners, and welcome, Commissioner Slater. My name is Nicolas Witron, assistant planner with the community development department. Um, tonight, this item is a project consultation for the Estrea State's housing development. The purpose of this consultation is to obtain planning commission input on specific site design elements prior to the project continuing through the formal entitlement process. The project uh the proposed project is Estraa Estates submitted by Pearl City Engineering. The project is site is located north of Avenue 50th and east of Jackson Street and consists of approximately 5.65 acres of land. The site has a general planned land use designation of suburban neighborhood high and is zoned suburban neighborhood 8. This slide shows the location of the project in relation to the surrounding area including Avenue 50th, Jackson Street, and the nearby residential communities. The proposed the project proposes a subdivision of of the site into 52story detached single family residential homes. The development would include internal private streets and related subdivision improvements. The applicant is requesting an approval of a tenative track map and the planning review discretionary entitlements. This slide provides a closer look at the proposed subdivision layout, including the internal street network and lot configurations. And as part of this project consultation, the applicant is

requesting planning commission input and on two primary design components. The first relates to the garage placement. Um, under the city's unified development code, frontloaded garages are required to be set back a minimum of 5 ft behind the primary building facade. As proposed, the garages are positioned as the closest building facade to the public street. The second relates to access and gating. The project proposes a gated residential community with controlled access points access point located on Avenue 50th. Um, I want to that there will be only one access point and that's per fire uh the per the fire code. If there were more I think it's 52 uh residential homes then it then that would be up to two two access points. Uh but because they're staying under that um only one access point is required. Um the general plan encourages connected neighborhoods, public streets connectivity and residential designs that limit gated development. So the G I want to note that the general plan doesn't specifically um prohibit gated communities. However, it's it encourages um to be have public communities. And so therefore, staff is requesting the planning commission feedback on the proposed garage placement and gated community design to help guide the applicant as the project proceeds with the entitlement review. Um I'm finished with my presentation. However, the applicant is here. They do have a presentation. um for for you all.

Okay. Do we need to open the public hearing or because it's study session or not before the applicant comes up tonight? This is not a public hearing. It's it's a consultation get feedback from the planning commission and then you know just as important the applicant can give some more information about the project and answer some questions.

Okay, perfect. If we could have the applicant come up that would be wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Um yeah, my name Yu. I'm the civil engineer on the project. Um uh we are proposing a 50 unit single family house. Um a true high quality design that that um that fits the community and uh provide affordable housing to the community. Yeah, we did a careful consideration this this development expressed which which residents will be assure a safe, convenient, attractive and workable relationship within a unique home development. Um yeah, we we we came up with nine unique architectural design styles um and LED compliant material and articulate garage volumes. Uh we also propose uh balconies and medallion uh flororic medallions. Um uh we also uh encourage cohesive massing and geometry for our architectural designs.

As you see on the map, uh we are proposing uh 50 units and there's a a park in the middle of the of of the lab um to to uh to make the site more welcoming for future residents. And we we are proposing gated community with private street and codeact. We are we have we are proposing three code acts and HOA maintain and common areas. Yeah. All homes share modern Spanish colony uh colonal elements with complimentary details. Many with balconies and artistic wood wood doors. Maldenian at display. At flororic tail property layout homes having spacious living spaces with windows carefully located having view of many unique species of drought tolerance plants, shrubs and trees. Homes with entries orientated to a comfortable walkway where home where future homeowners and guests will finish Spanish style porches and entrance attractive and e easily accessible complemented by attached spacious garage for twocar and motorcycle storage. Many in many homes in include other separate additional entrance with living This is for an individual renter in in need for modest living space with availab availability to home kitchen, living room and laundry.

That attached photo is uh elevation view of one of the two of the uh models. And that this photo shows the all all nine models elevation view. Yeah, this will give you better. It's colorful. It's in color. So it's uh and then yeah we're want to focus on uh affordability and live livability. Keep in mind that generations may have cohabited just to have affordable housing. Every unit is four bedrooms with a main floor bedroom to f fulfill that need. The goal is to market to owner occupants while other cities saw shrinkage in medium house home prices. India saw a 1% growth reference in reference in the slide making it perfect to add more housing supply. The site is zoned for the proposed density making this the perfect development to complement the vision of the city in the specific plan. Yeah, landscape and streetscape. We are pro we are promoting drought tolerant plant uh plants and we we are promoting street trees and shaded walks and we are we are promoting Spanish style portraits and entries and we are promoting

a meant a mental main entrance gate. I want to Yeah, we Yeah, I want to show you a uh entry with a with a with a with a nice masonry block wall and and and fun gate. Maybe a little too small to see, but yeah. Uh we we're proposing a nice uh uh masonry block and and and steel iron gate for the front entries. And once yeah, some of this is some of the material we plan to use for the proposed housing for Spanish style interior and exterior. Yeah. We also want to talk about the um We did we did market analysis. The medium price in city is $565,000. Um home sale current listed is 1,220 homes. Uh the a rise of 34.2%. Active act active leading active listing is 572 h uh units changing changing from last year 83 83.8%. 8%. Amazingly, the sales to listing price is 98.7%. So, that's pretty pretty good for city. Yeah, this chart shows the uh yeah the the existing single family yeartoday medium sales pricing by the

city and year uh city in well the sales price went up by 1%. And so most of city actually shrinking. Yeah, this chart shows the uh existing single family sales year to date by price, segment, by year and by city. Uh city of India is in the middle 34% in surrounding cities like like And also we uh we actually we actually uh uh went to nearby constructions. Uh there's the gallery at Indian Palms which is behind us behind the our proposed site and there's the North Gate. Um we we we did a comparison uh in term of price and the size of the homes and number of bedrooms of of for our design. That conclude my presentation.

Thank you. Do we have any questions at this point? Go ahead. Yes. Um well thank you first of all for thinking of the city of India and trying to build houses here in the city. Uh we definitely need more housing. Uh a question for you is have you guys have you guys the the the idea of bringing a park or like community place in the community. I didn't really see it on the on the map or like on the proposed um building like do you guys is it something that you guys are thinking about or providing like a green space in the community? Maybe we can put up uh that drawing. Yeah,

the subdivision drawing so that he can point um where that park is going to be located. Oh yes. Go back to that slide. Yes, that would be great. Yeah, there uh the part is by lot. It's near the middle. Uh

yeah. No, it's the one little small to see right. It's a little small to see. Yeah, actually help me out. is the the one without the pink. Okay. That's on the on the uh on the main street. Okay.

Okay. And then u my other question well thank you for answering that. My other question is why did you guys are proposing a gated community? I know that the plan doesn't require it but encourage like communities to be open. So why are you guys proposing a gated community for that specific location? sense of security.

Okay, thank you.

Any other questions? Thank you so much for bringing this comments in regard to the proposed gate. Um, as it's shown, the gate as the near the most south end of the development, how many cars realistically would be able to fit behind that gate before impeding on traffic on Avenue? Yeah, that's that's a good question. Uh, that's uh You can b two cars. Two cars.

Two cars. Yes. And we talk about that when we when we put we replace the gate. Yeah. We don't want like we don't want uh uh people to waiting the gate to be open. We were thinking about two three cars at least. Yeah. Yeah. I believe it's Yeah. two cars. At least two cars. because I'm also considering festival season and Avenue 50 is relatively close to the festival grounds.

And as far as the community, like let's just say there's residents that rent out their spaces there have every right to do so. It might increase the vehicle traffic coming in and out of that space. So it brings to question one um I guess any potential delays on entering people's property in those high volume times as well as let's just say there's a uh any issues with the gate functioning properly? Um I guess are there any remediation plans to correcting that? Do the gates just stay open automatically when they're not functioning properly to prevent any traffic concerns on Avenue? But yeah, it's a good question. Uh uh we we have uh the the the track home will have HOA maintenance. So they'll they'll be unsure they will ensure that the gates will be operating uh uh properly. issue they they'll come fix it uh right away. Um and we als yeah we also uh if if the gates broken then you know most like well we will we will encourage them to have the gates open that way you don't block the traffic.

Okay. Thank you for that. Um my next question touches based on the proposed green space or park in the center of the development. Um are there any features or amenities that you plan to put in that development as far as is it just a retention basin or is it an actual usable communal green space?

Yeah. Uh well, good question. Uh um uh because we we have to put a retention basin, but we don't want to just a retention basin. Uh we did we did that for many many cities. We can we can we can use a retention basin also like a park. You can you can put some benches. You can put uh uh uh uh uh uh put some swings kids. Yeah, we or having a little small barbecue area. Um that's that's what we that's what we uh we have in mind. Uh but we have not uh detailed on the plan.

We wanted like a park to for for families or future homeowners uh to enjoy with their kids. As a as a as a father with two kids, that's important with the park. We know how important that is having a park in the community. Yeah. I have a follow up on that one. Um, so it's going to be a basin and a park. We got you guys going to use the same space to do both purposes.

Yes, we we we did that on a couple couple sites and it's, you know, we're not going to when it rain we we designed only pawn six inches for for safety purpose. We're not, you know, it's not going to be you're not going to have a big pawn. We just want a pawn like six inches. That way we can use for dual function a park and a retention basin. Thank you. Um, lastly is would it be possible to reconsider moving the park in the center of the development to the front and maybe moving lot one to where the proposed lot B is.

That way we could potentially do is utilize the two south southernmost lots which is um the numbered lot and the lettered lot. to have that be um more of an access way so the gate the entry gate is further recessed so that way in the event there's high traffic or one of my concerns as well is if there's going to be ADUs are we monitoring within the HOA how many people can park there because if there be multif family housing there's going to be multiple cars there as well well we definitely consider that that that's a good idea with the gate that giving uh more cure time for the for the entrance You you mean uh by you mean the one next to the uh

Yeah. So there's lot a the infiltration basin and then the first lot. Okay. I see. Yeah. Yeah. Uh yeah, we did talk about that. That's a that's a good candidate for moving the the park there. That's a good candidate because we have we're going to have mailboxes over there too. We can have mailboxes and uh um yeah, we definitely going to take a take a look at that. That's a possibility. Yeah. just and I understand I want to respect the developers wishes to have it be a gated community. Um but I also encourage them to take a look at our patent park on the north side of the 10 freeway which is a community park right outside of a gated development that's highly utilized by everybody

and staying consistent with the city's kind of like walkability and connectivity plan. Um there's another development called the Polo Estates I believe who has a beautiful walking trail right outside the entire development. So, I feel it kind of be doing a disservice just to put like a straight sidewalk with, no greenery, no shrubage, and just a gate. Um, so I feel like we can maybe um have it fall more in line with the development that's already taking place as well. And I agree with you, we want more parks and green spaces to take our kids and everything. Um, and I just want to share with you that there is development on the corner of Avenue 50 and Jackson LG store. Okay.

And in the most souththeast corner of that development, there's a post dog park. Correct. And that might support the accessibility for and be also a supplemental benefit to the proposed development. Yeah, we did a dog part another project in um you see the victory. Okay. Um my last question is just I really appreciate you bringing in affordability because that's on everyone's mind right now. Um is there estimate or range as to what these homes would be cost? Um oh um cost to build not cost to build to sell. I'm gonna have a Helen actually he's he's the broker. Okay. She she she knows more than I do

in term of uh real estate market marketing because you know developments take a long time, prices change. So when we're ready to actually send it out to market, we would come slightly lower than what the market rate is. So that will help with the affordability and the way it's built and the project is built with the intention that it may be a generational home. Thank you.

Thank you Sherw. Um I'm just want to touch base on that gate portion the U community. I know you mentioned that other communities have you mentioned palms and they do have a gate but you said that um and that and that gate breaks a lot and then especially due in festivals it is for the residents like it is very hard for them to get in because there's a lot of you know cars coming in they also do rentals and then the arms of the gates are not working so people can't get in so it creates traffic on top of the traffic that we get because of the festival especially that location is so close to the hollow grounds. Um I know that she mentioned that the owner wants like gated communities for for security reasons which I can respect that but at the same time we got to think like about the traffic for the communities just not this community but like nearby because it will back up especially during festivals and especially some I mean obviously we don't want this to happen but if the the like it is not functional it's going to create like a Okay, welcome.

Thank you. And sorry for being a little late. Had car issues getting here, but I have no questions. Okay, great. All right. I've just got a couple. Um, what is the average lot size for these houses? Uh, the average lot size is um 6,000 square foot. Okay. And what is the average square foot of the house? Uh average square foot is about 2,000 square foot. Okay.

And and you're thinking that these could be built almost like having an ADU because you have that bedroom at the bottom, but there is no actual separate entrance ADUs or cassitas on these models, right? No. Yeah, just optional. If they if if uh uh if they choose to, they could they could do that. Okay. So So, the base models won't have it, but if but it will be an an add-on possibility if someone wants to when they when they build the house. Yes. Is that correct? That's correct.

Okay. Um All right. So, that was one. Um the the stacking of the cars honestly is is is a big it's going to be a big concern for us. I mean, we've all seen what some of these developments are, and when all you have is like two to three cars stacking, it's really easy to get backed up if somebody is stuck, can't move, and this is going to be a single entrance property. So, I understand the desire for a gated community, but I think I agree with the commissioners that I would we would rather see it either not have it or somehow have a deeper um uh line. And I don't know how you do that because you're kind of using the entire lot. But I think that's something that as you guys look into this, really consider, can you make it three to four car stacking or can you opt to not have the gates, you know, at all? Because I do agree that during festival season and during our busiest time that that's going to be a problem. And I do know that when gates break, they usually automatically open. So at least they're open.

But still it's still a concern. So, I think the car stacking is something that we'd ask you to really, really look at and come back to us with what you're thinking. Um, talk to staff, they've seen all the different developments out here and some that have worked and some that we wish worked better, right? Um, the park basin, um, outdoor living is very important to our residents. And it's nice that there's a little green belt, but it's going to be pretty much there's there's no walking paths in the development. There's no I mean, if we can connect walking paths on the outside so people can walk more, that outdoor living is is very important in the desert, you know, at least seven or eight months out of the year, right? Um, so we I would like to see that. Um, I mean, I I I think it's they're they're not bad. Um, I think it's just we have so much of this type of housing that I'm always trying to find something is a little bit different.

Um, and I don't know what to tell you because I know it's I'm not the market person, right? It's what the market will bear, but affordability with quality, right, is kind of a a mix that's important. The idea of being able to add an a an ADU, I think that's could be a big selling point because it is important for families nowadays that are living multigenerational. So, I really would like you to work with the city to see what we can do to mitigate the things that we've brought up today. you know, um I think the design itself, they look nice. They look they're going to be um higher quality um homes. Um I do have a question for staff, but at this point, I think I think those are our concerns. Does anybody have any more? No. Okay. All right. No more questions. I just have one for staff. Okay. All right. Um so, car stacking I'm assuming we have minimums that we need to have. Is this meeting the minimum or is it exceeding the minimum or is it somewhere in between?

So, as of right now, the project is still in review. Okay. Um, our traffic engineer would have to comment on that. Okay. And they would be able to provide the appropriate stacking requirement. um the project wouldn't we once we get those comments or conditions from our public works department for um car stacking in that area that that is something that they do look at. Okay. And and you all bring up very good points as far as um two car stacking cues is is probably not going to be uh the the um the way that this moves forward. Uh but our traffic engineer will will have to comment on that and then we can provide more information during the actual public hearing.

Okay. Thing we'll also be looking at chair is the turnaround. So someone comes in and says, "Oh, this is not where I want to go." They'll be able to turn around. And yeah, as Tron said, there's going to definitely need to be more stacking and a deeper, like you said, throat or what have you. Um because right now there isn't enough. So, but it's so early in the design phase that it hasn't had the full department as was mentioned from the public works. So that would be forthcoming if they move forward with an entitlement package.

Okay, great. Um, you know, we want you to be creative. Think of definitely the multigenerational. I think honestly that would be something very interesting. Um, and quality of life. We want people to have activities, be able to enjoy the weather all the months that we can. Um, and the park placement, I know you got to figure out where to put it. So, I know that's you'll look at, but um look at the surrounding area on Avenue 50 and see if there's a way to encourage some type of outdoor walking and activity. I like the idea uh Commissioner Michael Slater brought uh for for a site nearby. So when we know when we when we get back to the office tomorrow start redesigning we evaluating. Yeah. We'll look at surrounding cities you know see if you know we can have a see which which design looks good and we we present it to the back to the uh back to the the city to see u different ideas.

Thank you very one more. Okay.

Okay. With regard to again going back into um vehicle traffic in the development uh with multi-generational multif family housing specific unit will there be a limitation or parking passes so only a certain amount of individuals are able to park their vehicles in development or is it just free or is that up to the HOA? Okay. Because one of my concerns is let's just say someone's having a party or two people having a party weekend. There's no parking spaces in that development and people are going to utilize the new parking spaces at LG. So that might end up beingated as well within walking distance that was just you could just kind of keep that in consideration when looking at this development. And I do have one more question for staff. The comment about the garage that we talked about and we kind of all sidestepped that that comment about the garage about it not being I guess the building closest to the street, right? That we now want it kind of step back. That was something that was in this plan. So most of our older developments have the garage in the front, right? And now our newer developments that we've been approving, they've had them pushed back and the house more forward. Right.

Yes. Unless unless it's a side loading garage. If it's a side loading garage, they can be right. If it's on the on the side. Correct. Okay. So, can you remind me or explain to me kind of why that is become and why that's different than the garage in the front?

Yeah, I can add. Um, so it's real common in planning design to deemphasize the garage and emphasize the living area of the main home um towards the front of the street. It does um that theme of walkability and be able to walk by maybe see a porch or see, you know, an outdoor living area as opposed to a garage being kind of the main element um up front and and center so to speak. So when the city was doing the UDC, those are the setbacks uh that they adopted, the council adopted and actually it's five feet is is very a very small amount. You know, I've seen other codes that are, you know, 10 15 feet. So the garage is really set back. So it's it's to deemphasize um the garage emphasize on the the actual house itself, which is, you know, the nice part. You know, I know there are very decorative garages. You know, some people spend a lot of money garage door. So, that's that's the purpose of it. Um, so we'll we'll work with the applicant. I mean, it's something that's a workaround. Um, but at the same time, you know, they have a certain design that they're looking a certain feel. Um, I think probably just as important is making sure that there's um a driveway for a car to also park. And so if you move the garage back, there's a, you know, a garage um driveway pad if you will will for cars to park there, especially if you have visitors who want to have um some parking there in the driveway.

And and I honestly like the idea of pushing the garage back. So I just kind of wanted to explain like the thought of that before we moved on because I I think it is more important to have that living space up closer to the street versus the garage. And again, the parking is so import I just wanted to make sure we we talked about that during any other question.

I I did want to note um just because the conversation came up about the emergency for gates. Um I want to note too that I'm not a a subject matter expert in fire. Uh but title 24 part nine of the fire code does require that gates stay open if they are malfunctioning um to prevent um access to for emergency services to a site. So as soon as there is a malfunction of any uh for the gates they have to automatically be in the open position.

I got a follow for you. Is that included for like the arms because some gates have arms. So I know Indian palms as I used to be there um sometimes the gates will be broken uh it wouldn't work and then they will be open but the arm will still be down. Yeah it would it would require any access to the to the community. I mean for Indian palms I mean they might have a different because they have multiple access points. um this one specifically because it's a single access um they they would have to be have that open position.

And I I do have one question if I can and this is for staff as well. Um if I recall correctly, I know there was a bill that was passed several years ago uh requiring uh gates that have the infrared uh detection for that were mounted on the uh paramedics fire that basically open uh the gates automatically. Do you know if the city of India adopted that or has something like that in place?

Commissioner, we can look into that. That's something through that development review. If they do move forward with the entitlement, we work with fire department and police department, things like that. But we can look into that. And um if this does turn into a full-blown application, that'll be worked out during that time. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, we'll go ahead and move on to item 8.1, public hearing items. Um, Matis Brothers, can we have a presentation, please?

Good evening, commissioners. Again, um, my name is Nicolas Won, assistant planner with the community development department. Um the item uh before you is a request for planning review discretionary approval for a freestanding digital sign at the Matis Brothers Home Store located at 81410 Highway 111. The proposed project involves the installation of one freestanding postmounted digital sign on an existing fully developed commercial property occupied by the Matthysse Brothers Home Store. The project is limited solely to signage. There's no new building construction, no expansion of the floor area, and no change in the existing commercial use. This slide shows the project location along Highway 111 within the West Gate Gateway segment of the Highway 111 corridor specific plan. The project site is designated mixeduse neighborhood under the India general plan 2040. This designation supports neighborhood serving commercial uses and reinvestment within the established corridors. The property is zoned mixeduse corridor within the highway 111 corridor specific plan which establishes development and signage standards for the corridor. There is one existing digital sign located on the west facing elevation of the Matthysse Brothers outlet store. Uh this sign was administratively approved through a building permit uh number B22-00001-236 on March 8th, 2022 prior to the adoption of the Highway 111 corridor specific plan and prior to the current unified development code signage framework. This slide shows a site plan for the proposed freestanding sign. The sign is located internally on site and does not impact parking, circulation, access or driveways. Uh there's no site

reconfiguration or infrastructure changes that are being proposed. The proposed sign consists of a 12x 36 ft LED sign which is approximately 432 square ft in area. The sign is not expressly listed as a permitted sign by right under the under section 3.11 of the highway 111 corridor specific plan. As of the result, the project requires planning review discretionary approval by the planning commission pursuant to section 3.11.8.2 which provides the commission the review of unlisted sign types. Um the sign is limited to static images. Only video, animation, scrolling, text, flashing, or motion effects are prohibited. Image changes occur by instantaneous change only, and display durations are regulated through the conditions of approval. The sign includes an automatic dust to dawn brightness control system with nighttime brightness limited to approximately 400 nits, consistent with the California vehicle code. Even though the sign is set back approximately 230 ft from Highway 111, our traffic engineer required that condition um for the dust toad dawn and to comply with the the vehicle code. Um for clarity, I wanted to note staff wants to note that the proposed freestanding sign is not a billboard by definition. The sign is on is an on-site accessory digital sign that serves only the Matthysse Brothers Home Store located on the subject property. It does not advertise off-site businesses. It won't allow third-party advertising and does not function as a freeway oriented billboard. As condition, the total number of digital signs on site is limited to two, consisting of the existing building mounted on the outlet

store as well as the proposed uh freestanding sign if approved. The highway 111 corridor specific plan does allow electronic reader boards under section 3.11. C.1K. Sorry, that was a mouthful. Uh but only for multi-tenant commercial centers that meet specific eligibility criteria. One of those criteria is a minimum number of 10 unit unique businesses. In addition to the minimum gross leasable area requirement, the Matthysse Brothers property contains approximately 241,181 square feet of gross leasable area which exceeds the square footage threshold in the specific plan. However, the site operates as a single tenant commercial use and does not meet the requirement for the 10 unique businesses. Because the project does not qualify as a permitted electronic reader board under the specific plan, it is correctly processed as an unlisted sign type and requires planning review discretionary approval. Oh, staff is also recommending a site safety condition requiring the installation of parking blocks in the parking stalls directly in front of the freestanding digital sign and the landscaped area. This is just to avoid any any uh cars to hit the the sign or hit the landscaped area on the bottom. Um so these conditions as they are we will read them wanted to read them into the record. Um and for the recommendation for the commission to approve with these conditions added. Um staff has evaluated the project for consistency with the general plan 20 240 and the highway 111 corridor specific plan. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15311 for accessory structures of the California environmental quality act guidelines

with application of relevant conditions of approval. The project is recommended for approval and conditions approval conditions of approval are binding and must be adhered to. With that, staff recommends to approve resolution 2125 recommending conditional approval of the Matthysse Brothers digital LED sign for case file number plan PRD250022 with the added conditions um that were read into the record. Um thank you for your time. Uh the applicant is available and they have a presentation as well.

Any questions for staff at this time? No. Okay, we'll go ahead and open the public hearing and invite the to come in. Good evening. First of all, thank you for the opportunity being here. My name is operations manager. India. Um I want to thank the staff first of all for putting the presentation together. That was uh my presentation was nothing like that. I just wanted to uh add or answer any additional questions that you may have. Um we're proud to be part of the 111 corridor invested quite a bit in longterm res. We are asking for your approval on an additional sign which is a veryable tool for the sign will be um just like existing sign possible for the long term use as mentioned in the presentation is safety and not

be operated against. So the purpose for the design is visibility and our level of quality and value product we offer and being consistent with the design of contributing and enhancing the overall character of the west gateway section of the corridoring improvements and development and further enforcers. Um the existing sign it's a little bit smaller well a lot smaller in size but it does complement the size of the map. Additionally uh for clarity uh for our consumer we the opportunity to have a second to advertise the product that just end result will look to the rendering the sunset I guess depending when it but there will be no exposed conduit or any uh unsightly material

and that is just for Identify the storefront. This is the size length of digital sign. This reference the location of the existing Thank you for considering Thank you very much. Do we have any questions at this time?

Um, first of all, thank you for being here. Thank you for providing great services to the res but I personally bought my furniture when I first got my house at my brothers and I got a good discount. So, um, but questions about the sign. Will the sign be 24/7 even though I know that in the evening you guys are going to like you know make it darker per se like is it still going to be going on during like the night times or is it going to be off? It'll be off uh at night time.

It's just going to be off. Okay, perfect. And then the other one um I just want to make sure it's only going to be like Matthew Brothers like like promotions, right? It's not going to be or like you guys going to advertise anything besides your product. Correct. No, no intention on mention not

anyone else being here. I been a long time since I was little. So I' were one to see it grow. It's awesome to see. Thank you for all you've done for our community and continuously investing in developing that area. Um I specifically want to compliment the building because currently beautiful maintained high feel that a large LED screen may distract from that existing character um rather than enhance it. So I know that we do have the smaller LED screen on the west end of your site. Um however on the other side so there's the logo and then on the left side there's some like lighting design you guys did against the wall that kind of enhances the aesthetic. Is it a possibility at all to maybe consider something along those lines near the proposed LED screen so that way when people are driving by at night took the liberty of driving by last night and spent some time there my dogs um but I do agree that it's a huge like blank space that could still a possibility consider some lighting fixtures or enhance it after hours so people are driving by at night. It's not just that beautiful facade and then now be like totally understood. We could definitely

look into obviously just like the other building has beautiful lights up panels um that would highlight the landscaping rather than black screen. Um or at all display something on it that would not be much dimmer picture. I guess we can do anything. Awesome. And now I guess my next question towards I did look over the conditional agreements of the signal conditions of approval. One of them stated that the LED screen to be shut off after business hours. Um would it be at all a possibility for them like you mentioned to display a fixed image after hours that's not moving um should they choose to do that?

Yeah, that's a really good question. Um we haven't really given that much thought because usually signs are turned off um after the business is closed. Um we do have a little bit of concern that um you know if all businesses did that when they were closed um it does kind of take away from the community to have a lot of these signs on when business is closed. I mean that's certainly something that you know can be discussed this evening and maybe some of your ideas of what you'd like to display but um right now it's conditioned to not be on the post consider to take up that space either by yourself.

Um there was one point of discussion about a mural side to someone in the past uh and it wasn't quite suitable for for the trying to partner up, but it was not quite the right location. Thank you so much for my pleasure. Great to have some of your customers. Megan, anything? Thank you.

No. Um, no. I think I for my comments, I I really love what you guys did with the addition of buildings. I think you did good quality job. Um, I like the idea of having some type of uplighting or something so it's not just a blank screen, but I'm not I don't I don't think I'm in favor of having it run all day long. I agree because then other businesses are going to want it and that's going to change a whole lot of things. So, maybe that's something the staff could work on and maybe there's some type of with the landscaping design, some up lighting so it just doesn't look black, right? Um, but other than that, um, you know, I'm grateful you guys are part of India and I've So very much.

We appreciate the city's uh partnership over so many years. Thank you. Thank you.

Are there any other requests for public speaking on this item? N we'll go ahead and close the public hearing. Are there any questions um or comments for staff or are we ready to make a motion? I I just wanted to note so for as far as the lighting's concerned for after hours when the sign does turn off um they are conditioned to sub have to submit a landscape plan application to the planning division. Um in that application we can um at the commission's uh discretion or direction we can review lighting um for that and just you know make sure that that it is well lit. we can ask for, hey, what does a nighttime view of this look like? And then we can make that decision um at that time.

Yeah, we would just add that as a condition, right? Do we need to do that or is it just fine with the comments? Yeah, I think the landscaping is already condition, but what we do need and I'll let uh Nicholas do that is the condition, the new condition for the wheel stops so that when the cars um park on the post spaces, they don't run into that sign in the post. Yeah, we can pull those up. Any other comments or do we have a motion? So, the plan department will make that determination that it's like the lining it works. You guys wouldn't bring it to to us anymore, right?

Uh the lighting talking about the up lighting for the landscaping. I will work with the applicant um as part of the landscape. Okay, perfect. But if we could uh go ahead read the condition in so that when you do decide to vote we can include this wording.

Yes. So to read the the conditions in um they should be in as follows. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, wheel stops shall be installed in the parking stalls located directly in front of the freestanding digital sign and associated landscape area to prevent vehicle encroachment. The final placement and configuration shall be subject to review and approval by the planning division at the time of building permit plan check. Thank you. If there's no more comments, do I have a motion? I raise a motion to approve. I'll second and with the additions.

Okay, great. I have a motion and a second. We can have roll call, please. Yes. Um, Commissioner Slater, yes. Commissioner Scarboro Echo, yes. Commissioner Santos, yes. Vice Chairperson Ortiz, yes. And chairperson France, yes. Thank you. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Okay, we'll go ahead and move on to commissioner comments. Do we have any

my comment is to welcome our new commissioners later. Uh I hope that you I mean after seeing what you like your questions that you asked today that you actually are very capable, smart. So we're happy that you're here and just welcome once again. Welcome uh to this uh planning commission. Um sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge. I'm sure we'll all learn from you. We'll learn from all of us as well. And uh I think uh 2026 will be amazing with the group that's up here. So with staff as well, same thing. Welcome.

Okay, we'll go ahead then and move on to staff items.

M chair, members of the commission. Um if we may because Commissioner Santos is here. Do you want to quickly reopen the minutes from last time and also just to clear the record as well um your planning director was of course correct. So um somebody can in fact look at least Robert suggests that somebody can in fact look at uh you know the video or hear something and actually vote even though they weren't there. So there you go. I was able to look that up as well. So, we're going to go ahead and go back to item 6.1, the planning commission means of October 22nd, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve?

I'll make that motion. Second. I'll second. We have a roll call, please. Commissioner Slater. Commissioner Scarro Echo abstain. Commissioner Santos. Yes. Vice Chairperson Ortiz. Yes. Chairperson France. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All right. Now, we'll go ahead and move on to um staff items.

Thank you very much. And I did, even though we've said it several times, I want to welcome Commissioner Slick to the commission. We're very excited to have a a full commission now. Um it's common sometimes to have one or two missing. So, thank you very much and welcome to the planning commission. I am always available um when you have questions, items that come up. Um and I do appreciate some great comments tonight on the items. So, the next item um and even though Um, you know, this is an item that is part of the the staff items. It's not up for discussion because I didn't actually put it on the um the beginning of the agenda, but I did want to give a quick update on the gas station moratorum. So, last month on December 17th, the city council did um approve a moratorum on gas stations for 90 days, only 90 days. We originally were going to do it longer, but after that meeting and discussing internally with staff, um we thought that within 90 days, which were close, we're going to put together a draft ordinance, take it to the council. If the council likes that, and they may have some changes, which is which is great. We're always ready to fine-tune the ordinance. Then we'll come back to the planning commission. You'll be able to get that uh make some comments on that before we bring it back to the council for adoption. So the things that behind the scenes the staff is working on uh for a new ordinance since right now there's a moratorum um and that moratorum um does not include projects that were already approved titled even one that came in before the moratorum um is locked in and safe so to speak but no new applications staff is not accepting any new gas station applications at this time. Um so some of the things that we're looking at based on direction from the council and the planning commission has brought up some of these same items as the council is um looking at um you know areas that

are saturated. There's too many gas stations. There's probably two maybe three areas that definitely have an abundance of gas stations. So we're looking at that and we're trying to come up with a framework if you will of areas that would not be allowed to have gas stations. Some of the things that staff is looking at is a prohibition along Highway 111, also along Indo Boulevard and then areas that there's a saturation of gas stations. We're also looking at distances, for example, setbacks near residential, you know, sensitive receptors. So, we're looking at um some development standards for that as well. Um increased landscaping. I really love to see a lot of landscaping. So, one of the things that I've already have drafted is doubling the percentage of landscaping um that's currently allowed for gas stations. I think that would help. And even adding more shade trees, putting into the ordinance um larger shade trees, which could be a little controversial because we don't want to block the storefront, but that's something we're also looking at. Amenities. We're also We have an earthquake. That's a train. Um we're looking at amenities as well. Um, so things like art, we're also looking at um potentially like walking paths and things like that um in order for it to be an asset. Um improved maintenance. Um sometimes gas stations um maintenance are definitely shaking here. Uh the maintenance at gas stations are sometimes not very good. And so, um, we're going to be, uh, requiring or at least having the council and the planning commission considering a maintenance program for gas stations to address graffiti, possibly homelessness, you know, um, being tidy and things like that. And then last um, but not least is making sure that inside the convenience

center there's a fresh food option. So I'm not necessarily saying that I favor this one or that one. But um co in common discussions regarding this topic. Tower market comes up. If you walk into Tower Market, there is actually a fresh produce section at a lettuce, you can get a cucumber, you can get some chopped up fruit. Um so things that uh are fresh a fresh option. So, those are things that were um a little bit of a mouthful, but those are some things that we're looking at incorporating into a new ordinance for for new gas stations that come into town. So, u I'm excited about it because whenever you can um improve the community, um it's a great opportunity. So, and then the last item that I wanted to bring to the attention is the planning commissioners academy. So, I put on um the Oh, and actually, you know what? I Let me back up a little bit. I also put on the your desk there is some comments that were just received today regarding the gas station moratorum. So I wanted to make sure you have a copy of that. Um obviously there's um organizations there's groups that are concerned about the moratorum. This came from the California Fuels um and Convenience Alliance. So, want to make sure that because these were comments regarding this particular item that you've got a copy of that. I'll most likely be attaching this as well to future staff reports um at the city council. So, lastly is the planning commissioners academy. I really want to urge each commissioner, now I know some of you have already attended, so you may or may not be interested, but there's a planning commissioner academy that's through the League of California Cities taking place on March 11th through the 13th and that'll be in Anaheim. The deadline to register is March 4th. Um, so you still have plenty of time here. City would be paying for you to go to

this academy. It would be great training. um especially for first-time commissioners later here tonight, that would probably be good as well. Um if you have any questions, you can work through me as far as um doing the accommodations and signing you up, etc. So, those are the three staff items tonight. Um again, they're they're not necessarily discussion items or a study session, but those are the the staff items uh this this evening that I have for the commission. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anybody have questions of staff? All right. Um, if you have never attended one of these, I think it's worth going. I did years ago. Probably should go again, but I just looked at my calendar. Not this March, but it's good to go. Um, if there are no other comments, then we'll go ahead and adjourn the meeting to our next meeting scheduled for February 11th. Thank you so much, everyone, and good night. Well, that was quick. Sorry. Turn off the mic.