Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. Um, it's now 3:33. The regular session of the planning commission. Please come to order. Um, this afternoon, I'll offer the invocation. Commissioner Hernandez will lead us in the pledge. So, if you'd all please stand. We seek God's blessing on the task before us this afternoon. We ask that he bless our efforts with clear insight, our deliberations with wisdom, our work with clarity and accuracy, and our decisions with impartiality. In his name I pray. Amen.

Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

Roll call. Chairman Bose, are you already calling the role? Yeah. Good. Okay. Chairman, Vice Chairman Dairberry, I'm here. Commissioner Burke, here. Commissioner Curo absent. Commissioner Hernandez here. Commissioner Latanzi present. Commissioner Underwood. We have a quorum.

Thank you. We have two action items. Uh, excuse me, three action items today. The first is the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of September 15, 2025. Have a motion, please. So moved. Thank you. A second. Second.

Thank you. Any additional comments, corrections? Please vote in a minute. Ah, there we go. You can vote now. Motion passes 601 absent. We have two public hearings tonight. The first public hearing is on a tenative tract map number 18-004, map number 82298. Miss Alvarado is presenting on this tonight, this afternoon. I hope it's not tonight. It's 3:30.

Go right ahead.

Good afternoon, Chairman Vos and members of the planning commission. My name is Mitsy Alvarado and I'm the project planner. The item before you is tenative track map 18-004 which is map number 82298 which is to allow for the 10acre subdivision of 25 single family residential lots in the R7000 zone. The proposed project is located at the southwest corner of 32nd Street East in Lancaster Boulevard in the R7000 zone. The subject property is uh surrounded by single family homes and vacant land. The applicant is West Palm Development Company who is uh represented by Carl Malik. Here you have a site plan of the tenative trackmath subdivision. Lots range in size from 7,733 ft to 13,423 ft. Access into the subdivision would be provided from 32nd Street East and the streets surrounding the subdivision would remain public. New construction for the production homes would require a director's review um as referenced in condition number 24. An initial study with a mitigated negative declaration was prepared for the project and circulated for a 30-day public review period in accordance with SQA guidelines. Staff received three letters in response in which California Department of Transportation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and AVA QMD provided responses. CDFW specifically requested that minor wording changes be made to reflect their comments. Public hearing notices were also mailed to all owners and occupants within a 500 foot radius and posted on the subject property in compliance with the Lancaster Municipal Code. To date, staff received correspondence from one member of the public in which they voiced concerns over the types of future development for the site. They provided 21 emails, four phone messages, and submitted one request um via the residential online portal. all on November 12th that cover the topic.

These have been included in your distribution packets as well. With that, staff recommends the planning commission adopt resolution 2519 approving tenative trackmap 18-004 adopting the ISM and D and the MMRP as well as authorizing staff to execute and file the NOD. Uh this concludes staff's presentation. Myself and the applicant are here for any questions you may have. Thank you, Miss Alvarado. Do we have speakers on this item tonight? Chair Bose, we have zero speakers. None. None.

All right. Thank you. Members have any questions or comments? None. All right. Then, uh, it would be appropriate to close the public hearing and consider a motion. I'll uh make a motion to adopt resolution number 25-9 approving tenative track map number 18-004 82298 and adopting the initial study mitigating navigated declaration. Thank you. I'll second that. Thank you.

If there's nothing further, please vote. Motion passes 6 with one absent. Maybe someday that'll get built. Carl,

we can't blame him for that though. We can't. No. Oh. Well, I'm not passing blame, but I think this map's been in existence how long? Long time. But engineers don't build them. Neither do planning commissions applicants do. Right. He said sometimes. That's true.

Yeah. It's interesting how many maps we approve over the years and how many of those continue to be on the books and then ultimately expire and then come back at a later date. It's all market driven. All right. The next public hearing is public hearing uh on conditional use permit number 25-012. The public hearing is open on this one. and Miss Bricky is uh the presenter.

Thank you, Chair Vos, members of the planning commission. My name is Kendall Brekie, senior planner. The next item before you is a new roller rink which consists of conditional use permit number 255012. The use is categorized as an entertainment use by the Lancaster Municipal Code and therefore requires a CUP. The project is located in suite 108 at 44810 Valley Central Way in the CPD zone. The use would occupy a currently vacant approximately 11,000 square foot tenant space um roughly outlined in red on the aerial. This is at the southern corner of Lancaster Marketplace north of Valley Central. The image on the left identifies the tenant space in dark gray. The image on the right shows the floor plan for the interior of the space which in which would include a check-in reception area at the main entrance in yellow, party rooms in green, an arcade area in blue with the roller rink itself in the center. The proposal also includes the retail sale of gear and apparel, a snack bar, a DJ booth, locker rooms and restrooms, offices to support business operations, and other similar functions. The business would primarily cater to ages 5 through 12, offering an entertainment option for families and children. Hours of operation would generally be Sunday through Thursday 10 to 8 and Friday and Saturday 9 to 10. Uh certain hours of within this time would be set aside for sensory and special needs attendees. The business is expected to operate with 8 to 10 employees. The project is categorically exempt under SQUA and the public hearing notice for this project was posted in in compliance with the LMC and included occupants within the center. No comments have been received. We do have an uncontested letter from the applicant which was provided as an addition to the agenda packet. In conclusion, staff recommend that the planning commission adopt resolution 25502 approving CUP25012 and finding the project categorically

exempt. staff and the applicant team are available if you have any questions. All right. Thank you. Do we have any speakers on this item? Sure. We have one speaker card from the applicant herself, Dana West. Good afternoon. And if you want to speak to us, please come up to the podium and talk to us like you were talking to your children who are down the street. Good afternoon. Good afternoon and welcome. Thank you. I appreciate it. How's everyone doing?

Good, I guess. Um, my name is Dana Garrett. Um, I currently own Little People's Child Care Center here in Analopee Valley. I've been here for 24 years operating my preschool. Um, I love children, so that's why I wanted to include something that deal with the age group that I'm already used to. My preschool is from birth to 12 years old. So, I kind of don't want to deal with the teenage. I want to kind of keep it just for kids so I'm not shut down in 30 days. Um, but that's why I decided to do this. I'm really active in the community, of course, with the help of Van and Voices of Our Youth. Um, I work with him and his team and they, um, also work with me. Um, we work with the Lancaster Police Station a whole lot. They come to the facility and do cocoa with cops with our kids and cookies with cops and stuff like that. So, I just decided, hey, I take these kids on a field trip every single summer, but there's limited places to take them. So, I thought about opening up a skating rink that will be just for children. I would include uh special need and sensory kids. I will open every day an hour before um the regular public skating start just to include our sensory and special need kids. No lights, no music, no sounds. It's whatever makes them comfortable. And then I will open up to uh the public thereafter. Uh the skating ring will also include uh video games that they don't have to pay for is inclusion. Um I would have three birthday party rooms. Um I would need a host of employees. Um which is another reason why I want to do this. I can bring jobs uh to our community. If we here in Lancaster drive

all the way to Cerritos and to Victorville to skate, just imagine they're coming here. Victorville, California City. We're bringing business back to Lancaster. And I'll also be able to employ other people here that are looking for uh jobs as well. Um so I just wanted to just just read a little something. and I'm a business owner of the community and have had the pleasure of working with children and youth at my daycare facility for the past 35 years. I am passingly writing to advocate for the approval of a new skating rink facility in Lancaster, California, catering to children ages 5 to 12 years. In a community where positive recreational activities for this age group are limited, the establishment of a skater ring will address a significant gap in our city's offering. Lancaster like many city like many cities faces challenging in providing engaging and constructive activities for young children. With the increasing demand from parents for fun and active recreational options, the introduction of a skate rink will serve as a beacon of opportunities for families seeking wholesome entertainment. Our proposed pay per session model ensures accessibility for families of all backgrounds, providing an affordable option for roller skating fun. By offering a safe and supervised environment, our skating rink will not only promote physical activity but also foster social interaction and community engagement among children. Moreover, the skater ring will serve as a positive alternative alternative to less desirable pastimes contributing to the overall well-being and development of our youth.

Through roller skating, children will learn valuable skills such as balance, coordination, and teamwork while also cultivating a sense of commodities commodities within our community. In addition to its recreational benefits, the skating will skate rink will play a private role in enhancing the quality of life in Lancaster by providing a familyfriendly destination. We aim to create a vibrant hub where children can thrive and families can bond, strengthen the fabric, bond and strengthen the fabric of our city. In conclusion, the establishment of a skating rink in Lancaster represents an exciting opportunity to enrich the lives of our youngest residents and address the needs for positive recreational activities in our community. I urge you to consider the need and value that this facility will bring to our city and grant approval for its imple implementation. Thank you. I'm nervous. I apologize, but thank you so much uh for your time and your consideration.

Miss Garrett, you were uh kind enough to send us a letter saying you agreed with all the conditions of approval as recommended by staff. Yes, sir, I did. That's perfect. Not enough or nothing more needs to be said. A well, thank you. But your praise God all your colleagues and supporters they certainly be are welcome to address us this afternoon if they choose. Okay. Um but um I doubt very seriously if you'll have any objections here to your proposed project. Praise God. Thank you. So thank you. Any other speakers? Thank you Sha.

She's just amazing. I will say as her dear friend, I'm also I mean over 11 years my children have been in her facility and she loves everyone and it starts you know with the children and I've seen it through the years. This is a genuine heart that is the beacon of light to Lancaster. started two churches since that time and very active in the community because it's a community church and community means uh in the walls of for Christ but also go out into the community. So, we've done a lot of things in our community and uh and I worked with her in in in her daycare and uh when she thought idea of a skating rink, I was really pleased to hear that because I know we had a skating rink here uh I think over the near where the freeway was and don't know what happened to it, but I thought it was a novel idea to have a skating rink for young people. Uh because in my church, I hear the same thing that she just espoused to you. What are we going to do uh after school? What are we going to do here? here and what are we going to do there? And then when word of a skating rink came out, all I hear hear from my church members, particularly young ones, is when are we going to be able to go to the skating rink? I had no answers for it. So, I was glad to be able to come here to support what she has to say. So, I just want to second u what she said there and urge you to consider and I'm glad to hear. It looked like it's a favorable uh outcome. So, I thank you for your your support and uh I love Lancaster just like many people do here. So, thank you very much. Thank you for your comments.

Lastly, we have Mr. Van Roberts of Voices of Our Youth.

Afternoon and welcome.

Well, hello Planning Commission. I'm Van Roberts. I'm CEO of Voice of Our Youth. Um, I just want to add something that you all probably don't know, the actual work that she actually does with our organization. So, uh, we have an MLOU with the, you know, our sheriff department where we have a unique program called Streets to Sweets. And the program, it consists of when there's a a domestic violence call that that has kids involved, uh, the sheriffs have a chance to call our program and we'll come and assess the problem. But the most powerful part about this program is that when kids are in trouble and the parents has no way to go, we will house them and take care of them. But what's so unique about is that the kids get to go to daycare for free immediately. Uh and and we do that so that if the mother or father can have time time to themsel and allow us to work with them while the kid gets to eat three times a day and that kid isn't stress free and Miss D allowed that to happen. That's absolutely free program as long as she open as long as as we want it. So I I'm coming up here because I want you to understand that People like her is hard to find. I mean, she really cares about her community. Probably not as much as I do. But let me tell you something, guys. When someone offers their builder to watch a child who uh to watch a child who's been abused or a child who is going through it and she takes these kids in with no remorse and she takes care of them until I can pick them up. And I want you I want you guys to

understand that that is what community looks like as we work as a team. So thank you for accepting her ring. But I I really want to show you her heart her her heart it's about our youth and I want to thank you for taking in her consideration of her business. Thank you. Thank you for your comments sir. No other speakers. All right then be appropriate then to close the public hearing. There any questions, comments for members? I think we probably all do. Um I'll I'll be happy to start. I think our community is lucky to have you. Um community here. Thank you all what you do.

And I I'll echo what they said. Um however, I will tell you that my wife has been trying to get me to open up a roller rink in Lancaster for like five years. And I'm just so glad you took that off my shoulders um so that I don't have to do it, but we can come enjoy it with you. So, thank you. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, I think that's great. Uh under 12, you know, when they when you have places where older kids are with the younger kids, uh it's a recipe for disaster 90% of the time. You know, I go to Sky Zone and my two little ones are in the corner jumping in like a little trampoline area that sometimes they still get trampled on. Um so looking forward to this as well.

Thank you so much. Very good. All right. Then the public hearing is closed and without objection and consider a motion.

Well, it's her project and Miss Garrett's project. I'll move that we adopt resolution number 25-20 approving conditional use permit 25-012 to allow for the operation of a roller rink and finding that the project is categorically exempt. I will second that.

All right. Very good. Thank you. It is an exciting opportunity for our community definitely and uh we certainly wish you well. Um we'll vote on it now. Imagine that. Six yeses and one absent. Congratulations. And congratulations. Please invite us to the grand opening. I appreciate you so much.

All right, then. That brings us All right. Brings us then to um the assistant director's announcements.

Hey, that's me. Uh good afternoon, Chair Vos and members of the planning commission. I am Hainuin. I am the assistant director for community development. So, thank you for another well-ran meeting. Always appreciated. Um, as a quick refresher on annexations, the planning commission recommended to approve both the westside and east side annexation projects in August and September respectively. So, at the last city council meeting, the city council approved both of those projects separately, but they approved it both on the same day. So, next up is the LAFCO approval. So, that's what staff is working on currently. Also at the last uh city council meeting um the city council adopted a moratorum on tobacco establishments aka smoke shops. So what does that mean? It means at least for the next 45 days um there will be no new smoke shops relocations or expansions until staff uh put together together a plan to share to the city council on what to do about these uses. Um, so we're taking it seriously and hopefully um in the next month or so we'll have something to the city council. And then lastly for the December planning commission, uh, we're still putting that together, so we'll let you know as soon as we have an idea of which way it goes. Um, until then, staff is always available for you. Thank you so much.

All right. Thank you. So, uh, we should keep the December 15th date clear for a meeting then. Yes, please.

All right. Thank you. Commission comments. Anyone care to make any? None. All right. Then public business from the floor. Now is the opportunity for members of the community to address the planning commission on any matter um of city business. You must understand no action items can be taken uh on your comments. However, we're happy to listen to you. Do we have any speakers? Chair Boss, we have no speaker cards.

None. All right, then. Well, it's nice to see you all in the audience. All right, then. And we'll stand adjourn then to our regular meeting of December 15, 2025 here in these chambers at 3:30 p.m. Thank you.