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[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE MERCED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.

I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN AND STAND AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? 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. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER JAWAD? HERE. COMMISSIONER SPYCHER? HERE. COMMISSIONER ERRECA? HERE. VICE CHAIRMAN TATUM? HERE. CHAIRMAN RAMIREZ? HERE. MR. CHAIR, YOU HAVE A QUORUM. THANK YOU.

[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

I WILL MOVE TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. I WOULD OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

IF ANYBODY HAS ANY ITEMS OR ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO DISCUSS ABOUT OUR LAST MEETING MINUTES.

IF NOT, I WILL CLOSE IT AND MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WOULD YOU LIKE. OH. I'M SORRY. CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES, PLEASE? SO MOVED. SO NOW WE OPEN UP THE CITIZENS COMMUNICATION.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON ANY ON ANYTHING OF INTEREST THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS JURISDICTION AS NOT ON THE AGENDA STEP FORWARD AND SPEAK ON THAT ITEM NOW. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE CITIZENS COMMUNICATION AND

[6. PUBLIC HEARING(S)]

MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING. FIRST ITEM EXTENSION APPLICATION NO.

EXT26-004. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS RICARDO MERCADO AND I'M THE PROJECT PLANNER FOR THE PROJECT. BEFORE YOU, EXTENSION APPLICATION NO.

EXT26-004. FOR THE SIXTH EXTENSION TO MAJOR SUBDIVISION, NO.

MAS13-002, KNOWN AS FLEMING HILLS. FOR THE APPLICANT, BHUPINDER SAHOTA.

THE PROJECT IS A REQUEST TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE TENTATIVE MAP FOR MAJOR SUBDIVISION NO.

MAS13-002 BY ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE APRIL 25TH, 2026 TO APRIL 25TH, 2027.

A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026 REQUESTED IT TO EXTEND THE TENTATIVE MAP, AND THE APPLICANT INDICATED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TIME TO WORK ON THE PROJECT.

THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION WAS A REQUEST TO SUBDIVIDE AN APPROXIMATELY 28-ACRE PARCEL INTO 24 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ONE ACRE LOTS.

THE PROJECT SITE IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST FLEMING ROAD AND NORTH HERROD AVENUE IN THE ATWATER MCSWAIN AREA.

THE PROJECT SITE IS DESIGNATED ATWATER RURAL RESIDENTIAL CENTER LAND USE AND IN THE GENERAL PLAN AND ZONED R-R (RURAL RESIDENTIAL).

MOVING FORWARD TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE SOME PROJECT HISTORY.

THE ORIGINAL MAP FOR THIS PROJECT WAS MAS04-0006 FOR FLEMING HILLS.

AND THAT WAS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2004 BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH WAS A REQUEST TO SUBDIVIDE A 28-ACRE PARCEL INTO 25 ONE-ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOTS.

THIS SUBDIVISION WAS REVERTED TO ACREAGE IN 2011, AND THE SITE REMAINED IDLE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PLACE.

MOVING FORWARD MAS13-002 WITH THE SAME NAME, FLEMING HILLS WAS APPROVED ON OCTOBER 25TH, 2017 BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO ALLOW FOR THE SUBDIVISION OF APPROXIMATELY 28 ACRES INTO 24 ONE-ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOTS WITH A DRAINAGE BASIN.

THIS WOULD MARK THE SIXTH EXTENSION FOR THE APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP FOR THE SUBDIVISION.

AFTER THE FIRST, AFTER FIRST BEING APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE ORIGINAL APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP WAS GRANTED FOR DISCRETIONARY EXTENSIONS FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE YEARS AND ONE STATUTORY EXTENSION VIA ASSEMBLY BILL 1561, WHICH GRANTED AN ADDITIONAL 18 MONTHS.

IF THIS DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION WERE TO BE APPROVED, THE SUBDIVISION WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS, SO WOULD NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DISCRETIONARY EXTENSIONS.

THIS NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE THE VICINITY OF THE PROJECT SITE.

THE SITE IS SURROUNDED PRIMARILY BY DEVELOPED RESIDENTIAL LOTS, APPROXIMATELY, AND IS APPROXIMATELY 0.2 MILES FROM THE ATWATER CITY LIMITS.

THIS NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE A CLOSER AERIAL IMAGE OF THE PROJECT SITE.

[00:05:02]

HERE WE CAN BETTER SEE THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS IN PLACE.

THIS NEXT SLIDE WE HAVE THE PROPOSED TENTATIVE MAP.

ALSO INCLUDED AN ATTACHMENT B OF THE STAFF REPORT.

HERE WE CAN VIEW THE LAYOUT OF THE PROPOSED LOTS WITH THE DRAINAGE BASIN ON THE DRAINAGE BASIN ON THE SOUTH END OF THE MAP.

THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE EXTENSION OF AN EXPIRATION DATE OF AN APPROVED TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP IN THE ATWATER AREA THAT WAS FOUND TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING CODE AT THE TIME OF APPROVAL.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE FLEMING HILLS PROJECT PROJECT SITE OR SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE THE MAP WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, NOR ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT AS A RESULT OF THIS EXTENSION REQUEST.

ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED, IT WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE GENERAL PLAN AT THE TIME OF APPROVAL. FURTHERMORE, THE PROJECT CAN BE FOUND CONSISTENT WITH THE SUBDIVISION MAP ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 66452.6 OF THE SUBDIVISION MAP ACT AND APPROVED OR CONDITIONALLY APPROVED TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP SHALL EXPIRE 24 MONTHS AFTER ITS APPROVAL AND AFTER THE 24 MONTH PERIOD.

AN APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP MAY BE EXTENDED BY A LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR A PERIOD OR PERIODS NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS.

THIS DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION, AGAIN, IF APPROVED, WOULD MARK THE LAST AND FINAL DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION.

THIS TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR.

ON OCTOBER 25TH, 20, 2017, THE PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTED A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR MAJOR SUBDIVISION APPLICATION NUMBER MAS13-002.

STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15162 (SUBSEQUENT EIR IS A NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE OR THE SURROUNDING AREA.

NOTICE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE MERCED COUNTY TIMES AND MAILED TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS LOCATED WITHIN 300FT OF THE PROJECT SITE ON APRIL 9TH, 2026. AN OVERVIEW. COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED BY STAFF.

AND AS AN ADDITIONAL NOTE, STAFF RECEIVED NO NEW COMMENTS FROM AGENCIES.

HOWEVER, STAFF RECEIVED TWO COMMENT LETTERS FROM AGENCIES REAFFIRMING THE ORIGINAL COMMENT LETTERS TO THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL FOR MAS13-002.

STAFF HAS TWO RECOMMENDATIONS. FIRST IS TO DETERMINE THAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15162 (SUBSEQUENT EIRS AND NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

AND TO APPROVE EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-004 BASED ON THE FINDINGS INCLUDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

THIS NOW CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION. I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, RICARDO.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS FOR RICARDO? YEAH, I GOT ONE. JUST CURIOUS, IT LOOKS LIKE SOME FORM OF APPROVAL HAS BEEN ON THIS PROJECT FOR 12 YEARS APPROXIMATELY GIVEN TAKEN AWAY.

AND DID I UNDERSTAND RIGHT, WOULD THIS BE THE LAST TIME IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXTENSION? CORRECT. SO FOR A DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION SO AN APPROVAL BODY THERE'S A LIMITATION OF SIX YEARS.

IT LOOKS LIKE, AND I CAN BRING BACK THE EXTENSION HISTORY HERE.

SO IN. THE ORIGINAL MAP WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON OCTOBER 25TH, 2019.

THAT AND THEN IT GOT EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR. AFTER THAT IT GOT EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

AND THEN THERE'S AN ASSEMBLY BILL THAT EXTENDED IT FOR 18 MONTHS.

AND THEN AFTER THAT, AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS WERE GRANTED.

AND I'M JUST CURIOUS, YOU SAID THEY NEEDED ADDITIONAL TIME, IS THERE SOMETHING THEY'RE WORKING ON? WATER, SEWAGE. I BELIEVE THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. I ALSO HAD A QUESTION. SO THIS PROJECT ONLY HAS A TENTATIVE MAP, CORRECT? YEAH. BECAUSE THERE'S WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE ON THE PROJECT, RIGHT.

I THINK THEY'VE CARVED OUT THE ROADS AND I'VE ACTUALLY PASSED BY, SO, WAS, THERE WAS NO REQUIRED BEFORE THEY STARTED WORKING ON IT, THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE A LETTER OF CREDIT OR ANY BONDS THAT WERE REQUIRED? I'M NOT SURE IF, BUT I FELT LIKE SOMETHING BEFORE YOU WERE ABLE TO PULL A.

AND START DOING WORK. ARE YOU REQUIRED TO HAVE ANY KIND OF BOND ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY? MIGHT HAVE TO DEFER THIS OVER TO ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER. OKAY.

[00:10:03]

YEAH. CORRECT. SHOULD BE ON. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU. MARK HAMILTON, PLANNER III FOR THE COUNTY.

YES, THEY WILL NEED TO BOND WHEN THEY DO THE FILING OF THE FINAL MAP.

SO FOR THE FINAL MAP SHOULD BE FILED THEY'LL THEN HAVE TO PLACE THE BOND FOR THEIR PROPERTY TAXES AT THAT TIME.

ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH, SO BUT NOTHING WAS REQUIRED TO BE ON FILE BEFORE THEY STARTED THE WORK? THAT WAS PROBABLY DONE AT RISK. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS DONE PRE 2010, THE WORK, SO I DON'T HAVE A HISTORY OF HOW THAT OCCURRED.

I JUST KNOW MOVING FORWARD THAT WOULD BE THE PROCESS.

I SEE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION, YOU SAID IT CAN ONLY BE EXTENDED.

THANKS, MARK. YOU SAID IT CAN ONLY BE EXTENDED SIX TIMES, IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH, BUT I NOTICED IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ONE YEAR EXTENSIONS.

IT'S TWO YEARS, 18 MONTHS, TWO YEARS. AND THAT WAS DONE BY ASSEMBLY BILL FOR SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PROJECT OR WAS THAT DONE STATEWIDE? STATEWIDE. YEAH. IN 2021, THERE WAS AN ASSEMBLY BILL THAT EXTENDED PRETTY MUCH MOST OF THE MAP PROJECTS FOR 18 MONTHS.

AND WAS NOT DONE FOR THIS PROJECT, BUT STATEWIDE.

STATEWIDE, YEAH. SO IT WOULD APPLY TO THIS PROJECT AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANKS, MARK. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. OKAY. SO I'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? STEP UP TO THE PODIUM.

STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. OKAY. SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND MOVE FOR A MOTION. I'LL MOTION TO DETERMINE NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15162 (SUBSEQUENT EIRS AND NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

SECOND. MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED. PROJECT DETERMINATION MOTION.

I WILL MOTION TO APPROVE EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-004 BASED ON THE FINDINGS INCLUDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.

SECOND. MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED. OKAY, MOVING ON TO THE SECOND ITEM.

EXTENSION APPLICATION EXT26-003.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ANNA BROWNING.

AND THE SECOND PROJECT BEFORE YOU TODAY IS EXTENSION APPLICATION NO.

EXT26-003 TO MAJOR SUBDIVISION NO. MAS20-002, ALSO KNOWN AS VIA CORDOVA IV.

FOR THE APPLICANT RESIDENTIAL PARTNERS. THE PROJECT IS A REQUEST TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION OF THE TENTATIVE MAP FOR MAJOR SUBDIVISION NUMBER MAS20-002 BY ONE YEAR FROM MARCH 9TH, 2026 TO MARCH 9TH, 2027.

A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 20TH, 2026 REQUESTED TO EXTEND THE TENTATIVE MAP, AND THE APPLICANT INDICATED THE REQUEST WAS NEEDED TO FINALIZE ENGINEERING DETAILS.

MAJOR SUBDIVISION NO. 20-002 WAS APPROVED ON MARCH 9TH, 2022 BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO SUBDIVIDE ONE PARCEL TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 10.68 ACRES INTO 43 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS. MOVING FORWARD TO EXTENSION HISTORY.

EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT23-007 WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON APRIL 10TH, 2024 TO EXTEND THE MAP BY TWO YEARS FROM MARCH 9TH, 2024 TO MARCH 9TH, 2026.

IF APPROVED, EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-003 WOULD BE THE SECOND DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION OF THE APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP.

THIS IS THE VICINITY OF THE PROJECT SITE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF AMERICAN AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY 650FT WEST OF CAMDEN DRIVE, WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY OF HILMAR.

THE PROJECT SITE IS OUTLINED IN BLUE AND IS CURRENTLY VACANT.

THE SURROUNDING AREA IS CHARACTERIZED BY LOW AND MEDIUM DENSITY URBAN DEVELOPMENT, CONSISTING MOSTLY OF SINGLE AND MULTI-FAMILY HOMES.

THIS IS THE APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP, WHICH DISPLAYS THE LAYOUT OF THE 43 RESIDENTIAL LOTS AND INTERNAL ROADS FOR CIRCULATION.

THE SUBDIVISION WOULD BE SERVED WATER, SEWER AND DRAINAGE SERVICES BY THE HILMAR COUNTY WATER DISTRICT.

MOVING FORWARD, THE PROJECT SITE IS DESIGNATED HILMAR URBAN COMMUNITY AND LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL LAND USE IN THE GENERAL PLAN AND ZONED R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL).

[00:15:03]

THERE HAVE BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE PROJECT SITE OR SURROUNDING AREA SINCE THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON MARCH 9TH, 2022 THAT WOULD RENDER THE PROJECT INCONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN OR ZONING CODE.

NOR WILL THERE BE ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSION REQUEST.

THE PROJECT REMAINS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN AND HILMAR COMMUNITY PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES, ZONING CODE REGULATIONS AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE SUBDIVISION MAP ACT AND TITLE 17.

AFTER THE INITIAL 24-MONTH PERIOD, AN APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP MAY BE EXTENDED BY A LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR A PERIOD OR PERIODS NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS.

AS MENTIONED BEFORE, IF APPROVED, EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-003 WOULD BE THE SECOND DISCRETIONARY EXTENSION OF THE APPROVED TENTATIVE MAP.

STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15183 (PROJECTS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMUNITY PLAN, GENERAL PLAN OR ZONING) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HILMAR COMMUNITY PLAN AND THE 2030 MERCED COUNTY GENERAL PLAN, LATTER OF WHICH AN EIR WAS CERTIFIED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT, ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER OF THE PROJECT SITE OR THE SURROUNDING AREA.

NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE MERCED COUNTY TIMES AND MAILED TO PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 300FT OF THE PROJECT SITE ON APRIL 9TH, 2026. NO COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED. GIVEN ALL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TODAY, STAFF HAS TWO RECOMMENDATIONS.

DETERMINE THAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15183 (PROJECTS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMUNITY PLAN, GENERAL PLAN OR ZONING) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

AND APPROVE EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-003 BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND SUBJECT TO THE RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.

THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION. I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, ANA.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? OKAY, SO WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE STEP FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

GOOD MORNING. IS THIS ON? CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY.

MY NAME IS JOHN [INAUDIBLE] WILLIAMS. I'M HERE FOR RESIDENTIAL PARTNERS, THE APPLICANT.

AND JUST AS A LITTLE BACKGROUND, AND JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED THE EXTENSION, IT'S FOR THE COMPLETION OF. THE IMPROVEMENT PLANS ARE SIGNED BY THE COUNTY.

THE MAP IS READY TO RECORD. EVERYTHING IS COMPLETED.

BUT THE HILMAR COUNTY WATER DISTRICT HAD QUITE A DELAY IN GETTING THEIR WATER WELL UP AND RUNNING. SO IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS.

WE HAD PLANNED TO DEVELOP THIS IN 2004-2005. IT WOULD BE FULLY DEVELOPED IF WE COULD HAVE HAD THE WATER A YEAR AGO WHEN WE WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET THE WATER. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME FOR THEM AND THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB, BUT THEY'RE JUST NOW GETTING THEIR WELL ONLINE AND WE HOPE TO BE OUT THERE IMMEDIATELY. BUT THIS DATE CAME UP. AND SO WE JUST, WE'RE, WE'RE EXTENDING IT SO THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND COMPLETE THOSE ITEMS OVER THE NEXT I'D SAY PROBABLY 4 TO 6 MONTHS. THE MAP WILL BE RECORDED.

SO DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? YEAH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WELL SEEING NONE. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE ON TO A MOTION FOR THE CEQA DETERMINATION.

YEAH, I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION DETERMINING THAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15183 (PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH COMMUNITY PLAN, GENERAL PLAN OR ZONING) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.

SECOND. MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED. ON TO THE PROJECT DETERMINATION MOTION.

I'D ALSO MAKE THE MOTION APPROVING EXTENSION APPLICATION NUMBER EXT26-003 BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND SUBJECT TO THE RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL. SECOND. MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION APPROVED. OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ACTION ITEMS. THIS TIME I THINK I HAVE MARK IS GOING TO ADDRESS THE ADOPTION TO THE CURRENT GENERAL PLAN.

[7. COMMISSION ACTION ITEM(S)]

THANK YOU FOR THAT. YES, BEFORE, MARK HAMILTON, PLANNER III OF THE COUNTY.

BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING IS A, AN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT.

THIS IS AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT WE PRODUCE AND PROCESS.

IT BASICALLY OUTLINES THE DIFFERENT EVENTS OR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS COUNTY STAFF HAS PROCESSED OVER THE PAST YEAR AND KIND OF GIVES THE BOARD AND AGAIN,

[00:20:05]

IN THE FUTURE, THE COMMISSION AND THE FUTURE OF THE BOARD, A BASICALLY A REPORT OF HOW THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PERFORM IN THE PAST YEAR OF OUR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE COMMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATION.

I DID FORGET THE WORD TO. SO IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

I THINK THAT ONE CORRECTION THERE ON THE RECOMMENDATION.

HOWEVER THE COUNTY STAFF DID HAVE AND IN THE REPORT THAT'S MENTIONED A FEW DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS THAT WERE PROCESSED.

ONE IS GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-001 THAT WAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED.

ALSO, WE HAD THE FRANKLIN-BEACHWOOD PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED AND CARRIED OUT.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD THE MIXED-USE REZONE PROJECT, WHICH WAS APPROVED IN 2024, BUT COUNTY STAFF WORKED WITH IT AND GIS STAFF OR GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM STAFF TO IMPLEMENT THE APPROVED ACTIONS FROM THE 24 ACTION THAT ARE, THAT ARE CONSIDERED.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF, I'M HERE TO ANSWER THOSE.

BUT ESSENTIALLY THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KNEW THAT ONE NOTE OF ADDING THE WORD TO TO THE RECOMMENDATION OR RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AT A FUTURE MEETING. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS TO MARK? THANKS, MARK. OKAY. SO NOW WE IN A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ACCEPT THE GENERAL PLAN.

OH, I'M SORRY, OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.

ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK ON IT? STEP FORWARD PLEASE.

THANK YOU. SURE. GOOD MORNING. SUPERVISORS, CEO, COUNCIL AND ATTENDEES. MY NAME IS ASHLEY MARIE SUAREZ. I AM A HOUSING AND LAND USE POLICY ADVOCATE WITH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AND I WORK WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY AREAS OF MERCED, INCLUDING DEL HIGH AND PLANADA.

AND TODAY, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE RAISED AND CONCERN ABOUT THE COUNTY'S PROGRESS IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND THE GENERAL PLAN SUBMISSION. ON TODAY'S TOPIC OF THE ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT, I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE COUNTY IS OVER TWO YEARS LATE IN THE SUBMISSION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT, WHICH IS CRITICAL IN ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE COUNTY.

AND SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN UPLIFTING IN WANTING TO HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THIS HOUSING ELEMENT PLAN IS EIGHT-YEAR HOUSING PLAN THAT ADDRESSES VARIOUS HOUSING GAPS, INCLUDES MORE ACTIONS AND STRONGER COMMITMENTS TO ADDRESSING THE PLANADA FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS.

A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE GONE WITHOUT EXTENSIVE SUPPORT IN THE FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS.

MANY OF THEIR HOMES HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED OR, YOU KNOW, CONSTRUCTION HAS NOT RESUMED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2025.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE NOT ALSO RECEIVED THEIR CHECKS.

AND THERE'S TALKS WITHIN THE COUNTY WORKSHOPS AND PUBLIC EVENTS THAT ARE STATED THAT COUNTY WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH REDIRECTING FUNDS THAT REMAIN FROM THE PLANADA FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR TRANSPORTATION, WHICH COMMUNITY IS NOT IN FAVOR OF AND THERE'S GROWING FRUSTRATION. BECAUSE THE PLANADA FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS IS AN ACTION WITHIN THE HOUSING ELEMENT COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR THE COUNTY TO MAKE STRONGER COMMITMENTS, TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, TO RE, YOU KNOW, USE THE REMAINING FUNDS OF THAT FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORT, MONEY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BEFORE USING IT OR REDIRECTING THOSE FUNDS ELSEWHERE, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AS TO HOW THE COUNTY PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS FOR COMMUNITY, WHEN THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON OR THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING. FURTHERMORE, ASIDE FROM THE PLANADA FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORT ACTIONS THAT THEY WANT YOU ALL TO TAKE WITHIN THE HOUSING ELEMENT, OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WOULD LIKE THE COUNTY TO MAKE SOME STRONGER COMMITMENTS REGARDING THE PROTECTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON HEALTH.

SPECIFICALLY LIMITING DAIRY EXPANSIONS IN THESE AREAS.

WAS THAT MY TIME? OH. YEAH, YOU HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS.

THANK YOU. AND ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS THAT COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE WITHIN THIS PLAN BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED IS EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES, SPECIFICALLY IN DELHI-PLANADA, AS THAT IS WHAT IS STUNTING THE DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH OF HOUSING IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

MANY OF THEM ARE STILL DEALING WITH OR ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE ARE SYSTEM CAPACITY ISSUES THAT IS PREVENTING THE DEVELOPMENT OR THE FACILITATION OF HOUSING IN THOSE AREAS. AND SO THOSE ARE JUST THE TOP THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMUNITY THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE WITHIN THE

[00:25:06]

HOUSING ELEMENT BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. SO WE MOVE ON TO THE MOTION.

TO PASS MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ACCEPT THE GENERAL PLAN, THE ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT, AND DIRECT STAFF TO FORWARD A COPY TO THE REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR THE PLANNING AND RESEARCH IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

SECOND. QUESTION? NO. MOTION. MOTION. MOTION.

SECOND. SECOND. MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED. ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS? DIRECTOR'S REPORTS. JUST TWO QUICK ITEMS I WANTED TO.

[8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT]

FIRST, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE LAST PLANNING COMMISSION. SO I WANT TO INTRODUCE ERWIN ORDOÑEZ.

WITH TIFFANY'S DEPARTURE ABOUT A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO.

ERWIN HAS STEPPED IN AS A CONTRACT DEPUTY FOR US.

HE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE BAY AREA AND THROUGHOUT MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS, AND HE HAS COME ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO TO HELP US FINISH OUR HOUSING ELEMENT BUT HELP LEAD STAFF. AND HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB SO FAR.

WE HAVE THEM FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 MONTHS AS WE HAVE AN OPEN RECRUITMENT FOR THE POSITION.

BUT WE'RE VERY EXCITED AND LUCKY TO HAVE ERWIN TO BE PART OF THE PLANNING TEAM.

ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE DANIELLE FOR HAPPY ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY.

TODAY DANIELLE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, RUNS THESE MEETINGS AND DOES A GREAT JOB MAKING SURE EVERYBODY'S HERE, EVERYBODY'S AS ORGANIZED AS WE CAN BE. AND JUST OPERATE IN THESE, THESE MEETINGS.

WELL, SO JUST WANT TO WISH HER A HAPPY ADMIN PROFESSIONAL DAY AND WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. ERWIN WELCOME. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. SO NOW WE WILL ADJOURN.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.