Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Okay, good evening, everybody. Today is Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, and the time is 5 p.m. The regular meeting of the City of Victorville Planning Commission will come to order. Madam Clerk, will you kindly call the roll?

Commissioner Marshall?

Here.

Commissioner Messon is absent. Commissioner Morales? Here. Vice Chair Thomas?

Here.

Chair Marsh?

Here.

Commissioner Messon?

Here.

We have quorum.

All right, thank you. The invocation will be led by Commissioner Thomas, and our pledge will be led by Commissioner Morales. So if you're able, please stand.

Heavenly Father, we come to you this evening first thanking you for all the many blessings that you've bestowed upon us. Father, we thank you for the progress that's been made in this city. We ask that you guide us as we deliberate this evening on matters concerning the city, the future of this city. And Father, just in our hearts and minds and let the things that we do be good for all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Thank you. If you can all please face the flag and put your right hand over your heart. Ready, begin.

Okay, and at this time we'll have the public comments. This will be a time for the public to speak on agenda items or on issues not posted on the agenda providing those issues are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the planning commission those who desire to comment on a public hearing item may wish to reserve their remarks until that particular public hearing has been opened madam clerk may we have our first speaker

We have no speakers. However, we did receive a public comment via email for public hearing item number two. The comment has been distributed to the Planning Commission and posted on the city's website.

All right. Thank you. And with that, I'll close the public hearing. And we'll come to our first item on the agenda, which is the approval of minutes of the June 10th, 2026 River Planning Commission. So I'll invite a motion on this item.

Excuse me. I move that the minutes be approved.

I'll second.

I have a motion by Vice Chair Thomas and a second by Commissioner Morales. Madam Clerk, will you take the vote? Commissioner Marshall? Aye.

Commissioner Messon?

I'll abstain.

Commissioner Morales? Aye. Vice Chair Thomas?

Aye.

Chair Marsh?

Yes.

Motion passes with Commissioner Messon abstaining.

Okay, and our next item, item number two on the agenda is an amendment to Title 16 zoning ordinance of the Victorville Municipal Code with an environmental exemption to bring the city's accessory dwelling unit or ADU, and Junior Assessory Dwelling Unit, JADU, standards into compliance with the current California law. Mr. Hadegye, will you kindly introduce this item?

Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the commission. Agenda item number two. As you noted his case number PLA and 26 dash 00015 this an amendment to the title 16 or the zoning ordinance of the victorville municipal code to update our accessory dwelling unit and junior accessory dwelling unit ordinance in accordance with state law. Since the city's last update to our accessory dwelling unit ordinance in 2023. 12 separate Assembly bills and Senate bills have been enacted by the state that regulate how accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, and junior accessory dwelling units, or JADUs, are approved. State regulations limit the amount of development standards a city can impose, and those that are allowable are specific to height, size, density, and location. However, the city's authority in these instances is limited, and the city's regulation cannot act to adversely impact development of ADUs or JADUs. With that being said, The purpose of the amendment before the Planning Commission this evening is intended to bring the city's ADU ordinance into compliance with all current state laws and ensure that the city maintains compliance with state law on this topic as it relates to its required elements of the housing element of our general plan, which also notes that the city should streamline and remove barriers to residential development, such as ADUs. Of note within the proposed code amendment, the city standards on ADUs and JADUs will be updated To expand allowances for at us on existing multifamily properties to allow for up to eight detached at us provided such at us do not exceed the total amount of units on the property. This allowance is also limited to such at us in conjunction with a new multifamily development, which would be new construction of a multifamily development. The proposal includes an update the application processing timelines to ensure proposals are approved within 60 days. It also updates the ADU building height allowance to allow architectural compatibility with primary units from 16 feet to 18 feet in some instances. And while the, I'm sorry, and the remaining notable changes include adding ADUs and JADUs to our land use table, the development code for clarity. There are other changes included in this amendment. Most notably, these changes clarify applicable state law references given the renumbering of these sections within the California government code. Before the Commission this evening is also late edition memorandum that includes adjustments to correct formatting and grammatical errors found in the version of the resolution included originally in the planning Commission agenda. This also memorandum also asked to clarify and reorder sections for improved readability enforceability in the attached updated resolution. The memorandum also discuss discusses changes made to reflect a public comment received this afternoon. And this results in a minor addition to the applicability section of the proposed municipal code amendment in a manner that clarifies state mandated allowances for ADUs and JADUs with regards to size and design as authorized by California government code section 66323 specifically are applicable. Additionally, in contrast to what is noted in the late public comment, it should be clarified that city's approval processes remains non-discretionary. ADU law requires that approval processes are ministerial, and in this case, they are. We approve them via zoning administrator site plan, which is a non-discretionary process. We additionally have added ADUs and JADUs to our land use table to ensure it's very clear that they're permitted use. It's not a discretionary use. We also do not require parking for ADUs and JADUs. This is a longstanding standard of the city. So in no cases does the city require parking for ADUs or JADUs. And that has been clarified to ensure consistency throughout this code amendment proposed before you. Therefore, staff finds that these comments are adequately addressed in the revised resolution prepared for Planning Commission review. With that, staff recommends that the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing, receive testimony regarding the proposed project, and take the following actions. Recommend that the City Council find the code amendment exempt pursuant to section 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act, and adopt resolution number P-26-014 as revised, recommending City Council approval of development code amendment case number PLAN 26-00015. And staff remains available for any comments or questions you may have.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Adegi. So are there any technical questions from the Planning Commission regarding this item? We'll start with Commissioner Marshall. I have no questions. Commissioner Messon?

I have no questions.

Commissioner Morales?

I have no questions.

Vice Chair Thomas?

Excuse me. Just a, I guess, clarification. This is basically just to bring our ordinances in line with state law.

Am I correct? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Thomas, members of the commission. Yes, that is 100% correct. We're coming into compliance with state law due to the number of assembly bills and state bills that have been passed since our last update in 2023. This brings us into full compliance with those recent bills. Whereas we had fallen out of compliance, the California Department of Housing Community Development let us know that. There's a letter, including the staff report, a letter of technical assistance that the city received on the topic. So we took immediate action to update our ADU ordinance accordingly. to comply with state law, letters of technical assistance can lead to fines or noncompliance with our housing element. So we really want to avoid any aspects of that. So it's prudent that we, as a staff, proceeded forward as quickly as possible to bring this before the Planning Commission.

OK. Yeah, real good, because I know that as time move on that state laws and so forth have changed, and it requires to do this. So that was just clarification for me. Appreciate it. Thank you.

And I don't have any questions myself. So I'll open the public hearing. Madam Clerk, are there any requests to speak?

There are no requests to speak.

OK, so I'll now close the public hearing. And I'll invite a motion on this item.

I move that we adopt this second item as defined by staff.

I second that.

OK, so we have a motion by Commissioner Marshall and a second by Commissioner MESSEN, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS PENDING MOTION? COMMISSIONER MARSHALL?

NEW SPEAKER NO QUESTIONS.

NEW SPEAKER ANY COMMENTS? NEW SPEAKER NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. NEW SPEAKER COMMISSIONER MESSEN?

NEW SPEAKER NO COMMENTS.

NEW SPEAKER COMMISSIONER MORALES?

NEW SPEAKER NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.

NEW SPEAKER VICE CHAIR THOMAS? NEW SPEAKER NONE. NEW SPEAKER AND I DON'T HAVE ANY. SO MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU TAKE THE VOTE?

NEW SPEAKER COMMISSIONER MARSHALL?

NEW SPEAKER AYE.

NEW SPEAKER COMMISSIONER MESSEN?

NEW SPEAKER AYE.

Commissioner Morales? Aye. Vice Chair Thomas?

Aye.

Chair Marsh?

Yes.

Motion passes unanimously.

Okay, so we've now taken action to approve staff's recommendations as presented on this agenda item. Okay, now we're at item number three, continued public hearings. It's a continuous request for case number PLAN, 25-00005, A TENTATIVE TRACK MAP WITH A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 138 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS ON FIVE UNDEVELOPED PARCELS TOTALING 39 ACRES AND ZONED R1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL. MR. HAUDEGE, WILL YOU KINDLY INTRODUCE THIS ITEM?

NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SENIOR PLANNER TRAVIS CLARK WILL INTRODUCE ITEM NUMBER THREE.

Thank you, Chairman Marsh, fellow commissioners. Item number three is a continuance request for case number PLAN 25-00005. As noted by the chairman, is a proposed tentative track map with a mitigated negative declaration to allow for the development of a 138 lot single family subdivision on five undeveloped parcels, totaling approximately 39 acres and zoned R1. The project site is located north of an abutting dose Palmas road with bellflower street bisecting the project site. This site is this case is being presented to the planning Commission tonight as a second continuance request. AS THE COMMISSION MAY RECALL, THIS ITEM WAS PREVIOUSLY CONTINUED FROM THE JUNE 10TH HEARING DUE TO UNANTICIPATED DELAYS IN THE CIRCULATION OF THE CEQA DOCUMENT TO THE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE. THE INITIAL CONTINUANCE ALLOWED FOR COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD. HOWEVER, AT THE CLOSE OF THAT CIRCULATION, COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED FROM CALTRANS REQUESTING CIRCULATED TRAFFIC STUDY BE REVISED. SO AS A RESULT, TO AFFORD THE APPLICANT AND THEIR TRAFFIC CONSULTANT TIME TO ADDRESS THE AGENCY COMMENTS AS WELL AS COORDINATE THE REVISIONS WITH THE CITY'S ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, STAFF AND THE APPLICANT ARE REQUESTING THAT THIS ITEM BE CONTINUED TO THE SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2026 MEETING. THIS CONTINUANCE REQUEST WILL ALLOW STAFF TIME TO FORMALLY ADDRESS THE COMMENTS RECEIVED AND PREPARE A RESPONSE FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S REVIEW. Therefore, staff recommends that the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing, receive testimony regarding the proposed project, and continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission's September 9th, 2026 hearing. And staff is available should the Planning Commission have any questions.

Okay. All right. Thank you. Are there any technical questions from the Planning Commissioners regarding this item? Commissioner Marshall?

I have no technical questions.

Commissioner Messon?

No questions.

Commissioner Morales?

No questions.

Vice Chair Thomas? None. And I don't have any myself. So at this point, I'll open the public hearing. Madam Clerk, are there any requests to speak?

There are no requests to speak.

Okay. And I will leave this public hearing open to the September 9th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting. And so I'll invite a motion for this item.

I move that we approve staff's recommendation.

I'll second it.

I have a motion made by Vice Chair Thomas and a second by Commissioner Messon. Madam Clerk, will you take the vote? Oh, are there any? I'm sorry. Are there any comments on this pending motion? Commissioner Marshall? I have no comments. Commissioner Messon?

No comments.

Commissioner Morales?

No comments.

Vice Chair Thomas? And I don't have any myself. Madam Clerk, will you take the vote?

Absolutely. Commissioner Marshall?

Aye.

Commissioner Messon?

Aye.

Commissioner Morales? Aye. Vice Chair Thomas?

Aye.

Chair Marsh?

Yes.

Motion passes unanimously.

Okay, we have taken action to approve staff's recommendations as presented on this agenda item. Okay, at this point, we'll have presentations of reports by commissioners and staff. We'll start with commissioners. Commissioner Marshall.

I have no reports, but I was just going to basically say that I think that we're having a really exciting summer right now with the World Cup and the Fourth of July. I think that there's been a lot of great stuff, and I hope that everybody enjoys the rest of July, and we'll see everybody in August.

Okay. Commissioner Messon.

I am if the Commission will indulge me a little and staff, I did today submit a letter of resignation from my position on planning Commission. The August meeting will be my last meeting, it has been a pleasure to serve with you all, and on this Commission, but unfortunately. The demand of my employment has made it pretty hard for me to give this the full attention and time that it needs, and so I think out of. Courtesy to everyone and to provide someone an opportunity to be able to provide their full attention It'd be best for me to step down So I just wanted to notify you all and thank you all and I look forward to next meeting being my last meeting and Hopefully we have a good agenda as well But I did just want to let you know, so thank you all again Commissioner Morales none Vice Chair Thomas

Well, I'd like to say, first of all, it's been a pleasure working with you. And I hate to see you go, but I do understand. Something going on on, what is it, 395 from the freeway, the juncture down there where the freeway comes coming back through Victorville to that they're doing a widening project. How is that affecting us? I know that that's probably a state project.

Good evening, Commissioner Thomas. Yes, the SPC TA December, you know, County Transportation Authority is the lead agency on a road widening project from I-15 all the way to Palmdale Road. The scope involves widening the road to two lanes in each direction with a raised median and a new traffic signal at Sycamore and 395. It's going to be an ongoing project that just started to construct there and we'll see some interruptions along the freeway, but it's it's a much needed improvement along that corridor.

absolutely i know that atlanta got had that done a few years ago and i was just wondering why we hadn't done it but it's good to see that happening thank you okay and um myself um uh you know it's been it's been really great i hate to see you go commissioner masson um you know you've been an asset uh you are an asset you know to the city and and uh to this uh Commission you know we understand you know jobs requirements and everything can be demanding but yeah you're gonna be missed so I really you know wish you good luck and it's been a pleasure you know working with you and other than that I just you know it's getting hot out there so you know stay hydrated and you know try to stay in a cool spot I wish I worked indoors all the time but we don't anyway that's all I have Let's see. So at this time any present any reports or updates from city staff, mr.

Thank You mr. Chair members of Commission in keeping in the summer theme our concerts in the park start this week So this Friday from 630 to 9 o'clock our concerts in the park series begins at Hook Park and they're ongoing throughout the month on July 17th and July 24th at the park from 639 so we hope to see there nothing else to report

All right. And at this time, it is now 519. And this meeting is adjourned.