Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the City of Oxnard Planning Commission for Thursday, August 20, 2026. The meeting will come to order at 6 p.m. The public may view the meeting from home on the city's website, Spectrum Channel 10, Frontier Channel 35, or on the city's YouTube website. To participate in the meeting, the public may provide comments to the Planning Commission via email at planning at oxnard.org no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. or through the city's website at oxnard.org slash city dash meetings or call the planning division office. Additionally, those wishing to speak can dial the phone number listed at the bottom of the screen, follow the instructions to access the meeting and press star nine to raise your hand indicating your intention to speak on the agenda item being discussed. Madam Secretary, can we please have the roll call?

Chair Araujo?

Present.

Vice Chair Dr. Stewart?

Present.

Commissioner Dr. Lopez?

Present.

Commissioner Nash?

Present.

Commissioner Schuelke?

Present.

Commissioner Barsena?

Present.

Commissioner Frey?

Present.

We have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. We will now move on to the Pledge of Allegiance. I'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand up if we're able and ready to begin.

I pledge allegiance 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 all. The next agenda item is see public comments on items not on the agenda. At this time, a person may address the Planning Commission on matters within the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission including information consent items and any time not appearing on the agenda. The Planning Commission cannot take action on any item presented during public comments that is not on the agenda, and such item may only be referred to the Commission Secretary. Persons wishing to speak on public hearing items should do so at the time of the public hearing. Madam Secretary, are there any public comments for items not on the agenda?

No, Chair.

Thank you. The next is the consent agenda, and with none listed, we'll move on to Section E, ex parte declarations for public hearing items. Please state any ex parte declarations for any of the public hearing items. We'll move across the dais. Commissioner Schuelke?

None.

Thank you, Chair. Thank you. Commissioner Nash?

None. Thank you.

Thank you. Commissioner Dr. Lopez? None. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Chair Dr. Stewart?

None. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you. Commissioner Marcina? None. Thank you. Thank you. And Commissioner Friday? None. Thank you. Okay. Appreciate it all. And none for me. The next item on the agenda, section F, public hearing agenda item F1, project name Pearl Island Sushi, alcohol special use permit, city staff John Miguel Dalby, assistant planner, planning and zoning permit number 26-510-05, special use permit alcohol property located at 2335 North Oxnard Boulevard, a request to allow the sale of beer and wine ABC license type 41, on sale beer and wine eating place at a proposed restaurant, Pearl Island Sushi and Grill, located within an existing 1779 square foot tenant space. The proposed hours of sales are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, filed by designated agent Leander Bulwado, Domingo Place, Oxnard. On behalf of the property owner, Mr. Dinesh Bahi of Irvine, California, For Measure M, a staff presentation has been pre-recorded and the link has been posted to YouTube. The staff wish to give some introductory remarks at this time.

Good evening, Chair Araujo and members of the Planning Commission. I'm John Dalby and today I'll be presenting for Alcohol Special Use Permit Number 26-510-05, which is a request for an ABC license type number 41, TO ALLOW FOR THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE FOR ON-SITE CONSUMPTION AT THE PROPOSED RESTAURANT NAMED PEARL ISLAND SUSHI BAR AND GRILL. THIS RESTAURANT IS TO BE LOCATED AT 2335 NORTH OXNARD BOULEVARD WITHIN THE VINEYARD CLOSET SHOPPING CENTER IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT C2PD ZONE. AS BOTH THE PROJECT SITE AND SAID SHOPPING CENTER ARE NEAR SEVERAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE SOUTH BANK NEIGHBORHOOD. A COMMUNITY WORKSHOP WAS CONDUCTED ON JULY 20, 2026. THERE WERE NO COMMENTS MADE AND THERE WERE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS MADE PRIOR TO THIS PLANNING COMMISSION EITHER. REGARDING THE COMMISSION SUBMITTED BY COMMISSIONER NASH, MOST IRRELEVANT TO THE POLICING REPORT PREPARED BY MR. SCOTT SWINSON. HOWEVER, I CAN ADDRESS QUESTIONS NUMBER SEVEN AND NINE. Question seven was, has the owner slash property management of Vineyard Plaza officially signed off on the alcohol sales? And are there any shared parking or security agreements that the planning commission should be made aware of? Yes, the property management company 2311 North Oxnard Boulevard LLC has signed off on the land use application form submitted for this alcohol sale request. And while Vineyard Plaza has no shared parking agreement specifically, This location at 233 North Oxnard Boulevard is already served by sufficient parking and will not be expanding its footprint, nor will it require any additional parking beyond what is currently existing on site. Any security issues are best addressed by the applicant or their team. Question 9 was, the project is deemed exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA. BECAUSE IT UTILIZES AN EXISTING FACILITY WITH NO PHYSICAL CHANGES, CAN STAFF CONFIRM FOR THE RECORD THAT NO INTERIOR TENANT IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRE STRUCTURAL PLUMBING OR ELECTRICAL MODIFICATIONS THAT WOULD AVOID THIS ALTERATION OR EXEMPTION? TENANT IMPROVEMENT PLAN CHECK NUMBER 24-3891, WHICH IS PENDING FINAL INSPECTION BEFORE PERMIT ISSUANCE, PROPOSES NO EXTERNAL NOR INTERNAL CHANGES AS THE PRIOR SITE USAGE WAS ALREADY FOR A RESTAURANT. While minor internal changes to the electrical and plumbing are proposed, these changes alone are not sufficient to negate the CEQA exemption. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I may respond to further questions after deliberation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Dalby. We'll have the applicant present at this time if they are here. Thank you. And if you have a presentation, you have 15 minutes, and you can please begin. Thank you.

Good evening council members. My name is Gabrielle Boato and I'm representing on behalf of Pearl Island Sushi. I assisted with the alcohol permit with John Dalby and Scott Swanson. And for the record, we would like to acknowledge that we agree with all the staff recommendations and accept the proposed conditions for this approval. Pearl Island Sushi is a startup restaurant. primarily focusing on serving food to the Oxnard community, with alcohol being a complement to the food and overall dining experience. In regards to the initial posting of the alcohol license, we received great feedback from community members, whether it was through in-person conversations or through our social media platforms. And at this time, we're still pending to open, but we're excited to serve the Oxnard community and hope to see you all as customers one day. Take any questions if you have.

Thank you very much. And can I confirm that was Pulado?

Boado.

What was that?

Boado with a B. Moado? Bo Watto.

Bo Watto. Yes. Appreciate it. Thank you very much, Ms. Bo Watto. Thank you. At this time, members may ask questions of the applicant and staff. If possible, please indicate who you are directing your question to, and if any, what document and page number that you're referring to. Commission questions. Vice Chair Dr. Stewart.

Yes. I have a question from Mr. Swenson. Do you have any kind of report or anything to add to this?

My police review was submitted to planning and included in the documents that you should have. So is there something more specific?

Okay. I just wanted to know if you wanted to highlight anything or if there was anything to be brought out.

I can give you an overview, Commissioner.

Okay. Well, I have the documentation. Just was wondering if there was anything else.

There was nothing else. It doesn't appear to be a problem site. And I think their business plan is very appropriate for the setting. and the type of business that they will be operating.

Okay. Just one quick question. Is there any issue with homeless in that area up there?

Not that I've noticed and there was nothing that jumped out at me at the, you know, calls for service review.

All right. Thank you so much. And then I had a question if I could ask another from the applicant. Two kind of questions. Interested in level of experience, either with alcohol from past licenses or experience with serving food in an environment like that?

Yes. So we are a family-owned startup restaurant. We are partnered with an experienced chef as well as the staff members.

All right. Thank you. And any experience with alcohol in the past in the restaurant environment for the family or? Is this the first time serving alcohol for the family at a restaurant?

Yes. This will be our first time serving alcohol.

All right. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair Dr. Stewart. Any others from the Commission at this time? I had a follow-up question to the applicant, Ms. Boado. Thank you, Vice Chair, Dr. Stewart. It's just further detail in your last question. Can you give me your definition of the startup restaurant? Because I just wanted to know, it seems like you're already partnering with a chef, but is this your first restaurant in Oxnard or just your first restaurant in general?

First Restaurant in Oxnard and First Restaurant in general.

Congratulations. Thank you. And then just kudos in regards to the, I think you're the first at least that I remember specifically saying getting feedback from social media. I'm sure others who have looked to getting a permit from the, or getting a permit approved from the Planning Commission have done that before. Maybe something that we could include in the future Or that the City Council could provide that that's an option or a possibility to enhance all the public or the notices of public hearing so Thank you for doing that and I think that's all the questions. I have for at this time I'll look to the rest of the Commission before I go to public comment by sure dr. Stewart Thank you. If nothing else, I'll go to public comment. Madam Secretary, is there any public comment at this time?

No, Chair.

Thank you. Are there any closing remarks from staff? Not at this time. Okay. Thank you very much. The public hearing is now closed. We'll move on to deliberation. Commission. Commissioner Friday.

I just want to make a comment to Garvella. Thank you.

Commissioner, if you could put your mic closer to your mouth. Thank you.

I just want to make a comment to your business, to Ms. Garvella for taking in consideration our professionals or staff members' recommendations. They've been doing this for a long time, especially the police department, taking that into consideration and make sure SAFETY CONCERNS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I'M REALLY HAPPY TO READ THAT IN THE REPORT. AND THEN YOU ORGANIZATION, YOUR BUSINESS TOOK THAT IN CONSIDERATION WITH NO INCIDENT AT ALL. AND THAT SPEAKS HIGHLY OF YOU THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER NASH. THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO THANK MR. DALBY FOR ANSWERING ALL MY QUESTIONS.

Thank you very much. Any others in the Commission at this time? If there is no further deliberation, a motion is in order. Commissioner Friday. Yes. It's your time to deliberate or make a motion.

I make a motion.

Oh, okay. And before we proceed for the recommended action, correct?

I make a motion to move forward.

Okay. I'll assume that Commissioner Friday moves to find the project to be category exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15301 existing facilities and adopt resolution 2026X approving planning and zoning permit number 26-510-05 for an alcohol special use permit subject to certain findings and conditions. Is there a second? Seconded by Commissioner Barsena. Is there any further deliberation on the motion before us? Seeing and hearing none, Madam Secretary, can we have the roll call please?

Commissioner Friday?

Aye.

Commissioner Barsena?

Aye.

Commissioner Dr. Lopez?

Aye.

Commissioner Nash?

Aye.

Commissioner Schuelke?

Aye.

Vice Chair Dr. Stewart?

Aye.

Chair Araujo?

Aye.

This motion passes.

Thank you very much. Congratulations.

Thank you all.

Thank you. We'll move on now to agenda item F2, project name Bumble Bees Preschool and Child Care, City Staff Rogelio Solis, Associate Planner, Planning and Zoning Permit, number 25-520-01, Special Use Permit, property located at 527 West Wainimi Road. A request to permit the operation of a childcare and preschool within an existing building. Associated improvements include both interior TENANT IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING PARKING AREA AND REAR YARD AREA, INCLUDING RESERVICING, RESTRIPING, AND A NEW TRASH ENCLOSURE. FOLLOWED BY DESIGNATED AGENTS CECILIA VALLE, PHILMORE, ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER SHARAM MUSAVI OF LOS ANGELES. PER MEASURE M, A STAFF PRESENTATION HAS BEEN PRE-RECORDED AND THE LINK HAS BEEN POSTED TO YOUTUBE. THE STAFF WISH TO GIVE SOME INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AT THIS TIME.

Yes. Good evening, Planning Commission. As mentioned, this project is for a proposed preschool and childcare. While we didn't receive comments from the general public, we did receive some comments from the Planning Commission. The comments received were generally in regards to certain safety concerns related to the building. Some of these concerns can be clarified in the conditions of approval where there are conditions specifically addressing security concerns. Other concerns that were brought up during the questions that we received were in regards to the existing building and it being habitable for the proposed use. Due to the change in occupancy, the project itself will be subject to a tenant improvement, which would require a building permit. As a result of that building permit, the building will be subject to the current California building code to ensure that it is safe and suitable for the childcare and preschool. We also had some concerns in regards to the shared parking lot along the front of the commercial building and adjacent commercial buildings. There is an existing recorded declaration of establishment of conditions, restrictions, and reservations agreement for the site that establishes shared parking for the benefit of all the, of lots 17 through 27. And we've also included a condition of approval to ensure that this agreement is maintained or something similar is maintained. Lastly, there was additional concerns in regards to the shared parking, specifically as it relates to the requirement of street parking requirements of the city code for the proposed use. We have reviewed the project and the project itself does seem to have enough, it does provide enough parking for the proposed use. With that said, after some internal discussions, staff would like to suggest a modification to condition number 41 of the conditions of approval. Condition number 41 currently states the following. The proposed preschool and childcare, Bumblebee's preschool and childcare, shall be limited to a total of 50 children and 10 staff members unless the permittee can demonstrate that they have sufficient parking to allow for more individuals during hours of operation. Staff is proposing to modify condition number 41 to state the following. The amount of staff and or children on site shall be consistent with the minimum off-street parking requirements as determined by OCC Section 16-622 and be limited to the existing 34 parking stalls directly in front of the project building unless the developer can demonstrate that they have sufficient parking to allow for more individuals during hours of operation. The reason behind the revised condition is to provide the project with greater flexibility should they decide to increase the amount of staff and or children on site, while also maintaining compliance with the off-street parking requirements of the Oxnard City Code. That is all for now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Solis. Before we head into questions, can you, and I might ask a third time, but for a second time, can you please repeat the change that you want 41 to be? You don't have to say the original, if you could just, that was a lot of changes, so thanks.

Yeah, so the change itself is just primarily removing the language as far as like the specific amount of children and staff members. that were originally proposed. This way we've removed that language and included the section of the off-street parking minimum requirements.

And I'm sorry, before we go to the rest of the Commission, what effect would that have now between the original and the changed? What is that, what does that effect do with that proposed amendment?

It doesn't necessarily change the project. It just allows for greater flexibility. That way, it doesn't just limit them to the initial children and staff that they proposed, but rather it would facilitate more staff and more children, as long as they have the required parking.

Sorry, Chair Raho, just to add. So currently, as the condition is drafted, they would be limited to the the 10 staff members as well as the 50 children, even if there wasn't enough parking to accommodate more. So by making this change, because there is potentially sufficient parking to allow for more, we're removing this requirement and essentially just deferring to the Austin City Code. So that way, if in the future they decided to add additional children or staff members, they wouldn't have to necessarily come back to the Planning Commission or staff to apply for a modification just to make that change because they would be in compliance with the Oxnard City Code. So it's just to provide some additional flexibility to the applicant so that they don't have to come back through another process.

Acknowledge. And then one more follow-up. Why was the original 50 children and staff, 10 staff members put there in the first place instead of putting it in accordance with the Oxnard City Code then? Or was that, or is that significant or no?

So Jerry, I believe, and Mr. Salise can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that was part of the original application. So that was essentially just then put into the conditions. But after further discussions and some additional discussion with the applicant, I believe it was seen as, the need to have a little bit more flexibility just because there's different ratios in terms of like the staffing of staff to children so we wanted to provide that additional flexibility but i believe the original numbers came as a result of conversations with the applicant team

Thank you very much, Mr. Pearson and Mr. Solis. Appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate the Commission's indulgence. My normal SOP is that I would always speak or question less, but that was at the top of my mind and one of my questions that I submitted to the Planning Commission staff before, and so I appreciate it. At this time, I look to the rest of the Commission for questions. Please note who you're referring to, if possible. Commission.

Sorry, Chair, I just want to note that the applicant is here.

Thank you. I guess I make that mistake every now and then. Thank you so much, Mr. Pearson. At this time, we'll have the applicant present if they are here. Thank you very much. And you have 15 minutes. And if you could please introduce yourself also, too. Thank you so much.

Good evening, my name is Cecilia Valle. I'm the CEO of Bumblebee Preschool. This is our contractor. He is with me, George. Today, I just wanted to thank everybody for giving this opportunity of looking for, you know, on my project. It's, this Bumblebee Preschool is something we have worked very hard. We want to provide safe, loving environment for children here in Oxnard. We want to help the families that are, that need the need for childcare here. We did some statistics here and it's about 11,000 children age zero to five that do not have childcare. So that's something that we would like you to take in consideration to help us proceed and move forward to get this going right away to help families.

Thank you very much. And I miss your name?

Cecilia Valle.

Valle. Thank you very much. Thank you. Now at this time, members may ask questions of the applicant and staff. And just in the future, I was wrong in the procedure. If you see I did something wrong, please point out point of order. I won't take it personally. So thank you so much. Vice Chair Dr. Stewart, questions?

Yes. What is the age range for these children that are going to be in the daycare?

This is five weeks old to a day before they turn six.

Okay.

And California state licensing is involved in this?

Yes.

So they'll be determining the class sizes and how many kids you can have based on the square footage ratio. Correct. Okay. Now we're I guess retrofitting this and is this going to be an occupancy E or is this going to be an occupancy I for your design? Because you do have the younger kids there. It's E. And so they're not able to get themselves out

Correct.

It's E. Okay. All right. And then I have another question. Your playground, and it backs up into the alleyway?

Correct.

And I see that you have the wrought iron fence around it. Do we also have cameras that are going to be on there, and are those cameras monitored? Because, you know, people can pop over the gate, and there have already been incidents at other daycares here in Oxnard. So my concern is that the children are protected.

Yes, correct. We're going to have cameras on the outside of the playground, also in the indoors of the facility for the entrance as well. And also we do work with the program ProCare that parents will not and not just anyone could go in the facility. You will have to have a fingerprint and a code to go in to the kids classroom.

Great. Now when the kids come into the facility, a lot of daycares around here have like a driveway or something where the kids are just dropped off. That's not going to be in your design. Your design is you park and walk them in? Yes. Is that the plan?

Correct. They will go ahead and park, walk in. But we do have, they have different schedules, parents. I've been working for 20 years in different facilities. And currently what we're working at is parents go drop off about eight families, seven to 715. And then you have another six from like 7.30 to 7.45. Everybody's different timings because they're depending on the work, what they need. And also in the afternoon. So it's not all parents show up at seven to drop off children.

Okay. Now I have one for city staff. I guess my question is in this industrial area, is there any businesses that are noisy? Because, you know, the kids have to take naps. And so my concern is, is there any noise in the area that might affect that? Or is your building designed to be more soundproof?

So we do put white noise filters in the classrooms, and then we also put music for them. It's a very light wave music, and it keeps the kids calm and no noises coming.

All right. Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair. Dr. Stewart, Commissioner Nash.

Thank you, Chair. Because the children's security is of utmost importance, have you explored the possibility of allowing parents to tap into the video stream of like the cameras that are monitoring the indoor space and the outdoor play space?

So normally we do, we don't do that. We just do, it's just a, what is it, just a 24-hour through the day. It's not a recording that stays there because it does take quite a bit. But all parents are more than welcome to come whenever they want. It's not a timing that they're not. They can walk in whenever they like.

Yeah, I was just thinking it would be easier for the parents who can't come in to be able to like just tap into the stream, the video stream. So it was just a thought. Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Nash. Commissioner Shockey, then Commissioner Friday. Commissioner Nash. I mean, Commissioner Shockey.

Yeah, well, thank you. I appreciate the applicant looking at this project in South Oxnard, where, as you say, there is not equitable access to childcare. I also, I've got a couple questions, and they come from the vantage of a father of a six-year-old and having looked around some of the childcare facilities in Oxnard. where I'm sorry to say I've had my daughter at a couple of sites where homeless people walk by and shout at the kids and expletives. And there is a homelessness problem around this facility. I've seen it. And so when it comes to your fence in the back, would you be willing to consider putting kind of mesh?

Yes.

Screening something? Yeah.

Yeah, that's something that normally we put in all the procedures that I worked, and it's a mesh to give a privacy for the children, and you also do put toys and stuff around just to prevent a little bit more privacy for the children.

That's great. Thank you. And then I had a question for the city regarding the police report. Just to, for me to have a better understanding, the report indicated that the crime rate within 1,000 feet of the site is above the average and yet goes on to say the site is not considered to be a policing problem and there are no safety concerns. Can you reconcile those two things for me, please?

Yeah. For one thing, from a crime analysis standpoint, what a layman may not realize is anytime a property is zoned commercially, it's going to have a higher crime rate than the city-wide average. And consider the vast residential areas that we've got in the community, adding to the square footage or miles or whatever we have that we're measuring, and then the concentration of assets in commercial zones, concentration of population when people are going shopping and those kind of things, you're always going to have an increased crime rate in a commercial zone. It's just... the nature of the critter. In this particular area, and I'm very familiar with it, there's a couple people that know my longevity here. I served 30 years as a street cop, and most of that career was done in this neighborhood. My office, when we opened up the Southwind storefront, I was the one that opened it, and I'm very familiar with the site, even now, after my original retirement in 2007, I only live about a mile and a half away. I'm very familiar with the site. And yes, there's crime there. It's elevated, but it's a high-density population area. Would you expect something different? No. It all comes with the territory, and we shouldn't get overly excited just because we have high-density population residing there and commercial zones that normally have higher crime rates than residential zones. Well, thank you. Does that kind of answer your question?

It does. The same report indicates that the average in this area is higher than the commercial rate. So maybe you can help reconcile for that me as well. I can understand where the response here may be, well, the crime rate does not rise to a sufficient level where we're concerned. That's different from saying the site is not considered to be a policing problem and there are no safety concerns. So if it's above the average even for commercial, to also say there are no safety concerns, having been in that space as well, certainly not with the years of service you've committed to the community. Thank you. It just draws some questions for me.

And rightfully so. I mean, it's definitely not a crime-free neighborhood. It's got its challenges, but... This is a service that needs to be there.

Yes.

And if we can make that happen as safely as possible by instituting site conditions that the applicant agrees to, that makes it a safe place for the kids to go to. Thanks for answering my question.

You're welcome. Thank you, Commissioner Schuelke. Commissioner Friday.

I have a few questions for Ms. Cecilia. You mentioned you have 20 years of experience Out of those 20 years, how many have you had actually managing a preschool or being a CEO of something like this level?

So it's been 20 years I've been in this child development. For the last 10 years I've been vice president of preschool here in Santa Paula. Right now we oversee Fillmore, Santa Paula and Bakersfield. Those are the three that oversee at the moment.

Okay, and I agree with I see here in the report that the improvements are going to do to the exterior and I totally agree with Commissioner James. I know the area as well. I come from very safety perspective. It's my current career as well and the alley is very transit. A lot of people walk there Drive through there and knowing the area where it very well. I've seen Defense it stated that it's gonna be rebuilt But I totally agree with them Would you planning to replace the fence and put the net or make it not visible for the little kids, for people walking, including homeless or someone with legal substance abuse? Or are you planning to just put a net and cover it? Or is the whole replacement of the fence due to the fact that I've noticed that it's actually gaps opened, that actually a little kid, a three-, four-year-old can actually go through? I've driven by and I've seen it.

So, yeah, we assessed the fence just not too long ago, and I think this was after some of the comments came in. And then, yes, we are kind of looking at replacing it. There's a couple places in the base that are rusted, so we're going to have to go ahead and modify some of those sections.

Okay. My other question is the electrical panels. I found to notice that they're very reachable for the little kids. And I've noticed there's some pieces misses as well. Are those going to be replaced as well? Or at least covered or make it?

So normally when we have for the safety of the children, anywhere that we have plugs, we do have to put the safety for children. And then based on your last question for the fence, we are putting, regardless of changing, doing the modifications, we are putting a net for the safety. It's about a four feet tall.

Covered up.

Overlapped. Okay.

Thank you. Yeah.

Thank you, Commissioner Friday. Vice Chair Dr. Stewart.

Yes, let's go back to the playground. So we have a wrought iron fence. Is that what we're going to have in place there? Or is it going to be like a chain link fence for the playground to surround the playground?

So currently it's pickets. There's space at about four inches. Okay. So it's a wrought iron fence. Okay. It comes in eight foot sections.

So you're going to... We can go ahead and put a privacy... Protection over the wrought iron, right? Okay. And then I heard some discussion about cameras, but the cameras are recording or are they not recording? So in other words, is there a playback for those cameras?

So it is, but it's a 24-hour. Just 24 hours? So we will have to check on our systems. I've been looking through my system, so we're able to do about two weeks in recording.

Okay. My only concern is this. If you have a problem and the police come, they're going to want to have footage from that sent to them so that they can try to identify, you know, whoever the party is where they were involved in something. The other thing is that, you know, Some of these playgrounds have homeless people, especially someplace that's off the beaten path and there's not a lot of vehicle traffic that will come in and sleep inside your playground and may cause some damage. So having those recordings allows you to go back and review and try to figure out who they were so that you can make an identification. You know, the police can't. So that's my only concern is protecting the environment and protecting the kids. And so you have the cameras on there. Are those cameras being monitored by somebody inside? You know, I know you have teachers on there, a ratio of teachers per students.

Yes. So I'm the one that monitors cameras.

Okay.

So even at 2, 3 in the morning, if I hear something, I'm the one that gets up. And also if we have to call police or anything.

Okay. So your alarm system will notify you that somebody. That's correct. Now, is there any kind of motion detection within the playground? Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Chair, Dr. Stewart. Any others from the Commission at this time? I have a couple questions. The first is staff, and then the follow-up will be to the applicant. There have been a lot of discussion already about the playground in the back, and I wanted to know what is being mandated the applicant to do construction-wise in regards to the playground in the back. My follow-up question to the applicant will be, what more do you plan to do than what's mandated by the city? But I'd like to hear from the city first.

As far as improvements are concerned, It does need to be some improvements to the existing trash enclosure. The applicant team has decided to propose a fence separating that loading area from the existing playground. That way they don't have access to the trash enclosure area.

Before the applicant answers, so nothing specifically mandated in regard to the playground, is that correct from the city in the conditions of approval?

As far as when you mentioned the playground, can you be a little bit more exact?

I can't at this time. Let me hear from the applicant first and then I'll see if I need to follow up with something more detailed. I hear that you're already going to the mesh fence. I think that's great. Is there anything else that you could expand or just fully answer that question in regards to what you're planning to do in the back?

So in the back of the playground, the only thing is the gate, the trash enclosure, and the stuff we're going to put out, it's just a daily thing, just to make sure that everything keeps good with the sun, doesn't crack or break. It's going to be just like tricycles. It's not going to be a playground with the sliding swings, if that's one of your concerns of making holes. We are thinking of putting synthetic grass and like a sandbox for the children and shade.

Thank you for that. I'll look to the Commission if they have any other questions at this time. Commissioner Nash.

Thank you. You mentioned a sandbox. I hope that you cover it at night because cats will definitely visit it and use it. Thank you. Yes.

Thank you. Vice Chair, Dr. Stewart. Yes. So a lot of it, like the playground and like the interior and all that, most of those requirements are not necessarily the city's requirements, but they're state licensing requirements that you have to fulfill for the protection of the children. That's correct? Yes. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Maybe the same question to both staff and applicant, but to staff first. least from what I saw from the pictures is that that's an alley in the back can you so should we not be more concerned that a car might go veer away and possibly into the playground my questions were Shouldn't there be something more substantial to break the path of any veering car that might be there, first to staff and then to the applicant if they have any concerns?

So, Jay Raho, with regards to the backyard, I guess first to kind of go back to what Vice Chair Stewart mentioned, which is, lot of these requirements are coming from the state so we the city doesn't have specific arms regarding like the play area or requirement for a outdoor play area for these facilities so there's not a specific requirement that they provide one however yes we noting that they are going to have one we do have requirements that they have a fence which there is an existing fence there and But there is a condition to make sure that that's maintained at at least six feet With regards to the car issue Again, the fence is intended to be there So if the Commission wanted something more substantial that could be something that they requested but at this point in time at least in our review there wasn't a concern that there would be Cars crashing through the fence given the nature of the alley. It's kind of a lower speed type corridor So you're not gonna have Generally, people speeding through the alleys at speeds great enough to go through a fence.

Thank you for that answer, Mr. Pearson. And then to the applicant, same question. Is there any concern? And if anything, what would you do more than what you stated? Or do you think what you are planning to do is sufficient?

I think what we're doing is sufficient, but we're also, one thing that we do is we do put quite a bit of stuff around the fence for the kids to stay a little bit far from the fence. We do planting. We put seats for them to plant and see, so there will be like little boxes with sand in the park there about three, four feet that we like to put for the children. So that also is a little help of a small barrier there to not be too close to the fence.

Okay. Thank you so much for that. Again, I'll look to the commission if there are any last questions of either the applicant or the staff. Vice Chair Dr. Seward.

I just want to throw something out there that you might want to think about. You could put planters around the inside of your playground and then that has dirt in there and then the kids could also learn how to plant plants. So it gives you a little bit of a buffer zone and it also gives them another activity to do. Just a thought.

So we normally do that for them. They plant the seed, whatever comes out, we go ahead and implement it and daily healthy meal for them.

Thank you very much. No questions from me. And if there's no other questions for applicant or staff, I'll move on to public comment. Madam Secretary, is there any public comment for this item?

No, Chair.

Thank you very much. Are there any closing remarks from staff? Mr. Solis? Oh, Mr. Pearson. Either one.

No, Chair. Thank you.

Thank you very much. The public hearing is now closed. We'll move on to deliberation. Commission. Commissioner Schuelke, then Commissioner Friday. Commissioner Schuelke, please.

Yeah, I just wanted to share what a travesty I think it is, how little access South Oxnard families have to quality childcare services. And that on the Oxnard Plain the closer you live to the ocean or the hills the more likely you can find a child care facility within a stone's toss So this is a this project's a real public service. I appreciate your work on it and everyone Who's contributed to it and look forward to voting on this shortly.

Thank you Thank You Commissioner Shockey mr. Friday Mrs. Elliott as you can tell we all of us worry about the safety of of our kids, our residents. And we were asking a lot of questions about the playground because of the conditions that it is and the area that it is. But I also would like to reinforce your willingness to take into consideration our law enforcement report, all the years of experience that they have. Please, please, for the safety of everyone, I have two kids, and I'm blessed to be a father. And it is a very, the crime is a little high in that area. So thank you. Please follow every safety precautions from our police department. And thank you for agreeing with us in fixing the fence, making it higher, putting something to cover for everyone that passed by. This is a very transit alley. I just want to say thank you for being willing to do those safety precautions and taking them very, very serious. Congratulations and thank you for bringing the service. You have a lot of experience and this is a time and place to make it work and make it noticeable.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Friday. Any others from the Commission at this time? Vice Chair Dr. Stewart.

I'll move the recommended action.

Thank you. It has been moved by Vice Chair Dr. Stewart to find the project to be categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA guideline section 15301, existing facilities and adopt resolution 2026X approving planning and zoning permit number 26-520-01, special use permit subject to certain findings and conditions. Is there a second? Seconded by Commissioner Schuelke. Any further deliberation on the motion before us? Oh, thank you very much. Before I go on to my correction. Mr. Solis, can you state the Oxnard City Code in regards to condition 41 of which to align the parking to?

Yes, that would be Oxnard City Code section 622. 16-622? 622. 622, yes. Thank you very much.

Is there any objection from commission to amending the motion before us to include Mr. Solis' substitution of condition of approval 41 to align the parking standards with Oxnard City Code 16-622? Is there any objection? No objection. Seeing no objection, that is the motion before us. Is there any deliberation on the motion as amended? Seeing and hearing none, Madam Secretary, can we have the roll call please?

Vice Chair Dr. Stewart?

Aye.

Commissioner Schuelke?

Aye.

Commissioner Dr. Lopez?

Aye.

Commissioner Nash?

Aye. And I want to thank staff for answering my questions.

Commissioner Barsena?

Aye.

Commissioner Friday? Aye. Chair Arrejo?

Aye.

This motion passes.

Thank you very much and congratulations. Thank you. We'll move on to Section D, Study Session Reports. And with none on the agenda, the business will move on to Section I, Community Development Staff. Mr. Pearson.

Hello, Chair, Vice Chair, and Commissioners. Just in terms of our next meeting on September 3rd, we currently have notices that went out, I believe, last week for two items that will be coming to that meeting. One is a specific plan amendment to the River Park specific plan, which I'm sure you guys are all familiar with because we've amended it quite a few times, and as well as an expansion to an existing commissary here within the city.

like food truck commissary This those two items and those are the only items that I have Those two items are gonna be for the September 3rd or September 17 September 3rd gotcha Appreciate that any other further questions of any questions of staff Thank you moving on to section. I planning Commission business Commission anything for the Commission to hear I Commissioner Friday.

I don't, but today is my son's birthday. And I wanted to say he's watching right now. So happy birthday, son. I love you.

Thank you for that. Appreciate that. As you've seen before, some of us have invited our mothers here. So you can always invite them if you would like. obviously check the agenda before inviting them to a long one. I have just a procedural item. I know that the Planning Commission hasn't met that much. I just want us just to take a little bit more care in regards to when we go into deliberation, I know that we have sometimes small comments to staff and the applicant. But if we could try as much as we think that is comfortable to keep it in the third person, when we get to the more controversial items, it's no longer their time to interact, and that's our time to deliberate amongst ourselves. So if you could just keep that in mind in the future, I think when the next more volatile public hearing item comes, I think that will HELP SERVE US ALL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 6 P.M. THANK YOU ALL AND GOOD NIGHT.