[Call To Order]
[00:00:07]
THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:01 P.M. ALRIGHTY. CAN I HAVE COMMISSIONER ANDRES DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE? OH. OKAY. 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. THANK YOU. OKAY. WE'LL GO INTO ROLL CALL. VICE CHAIRPERSON. TORRES. PRESENT. COMMISSIONER. FONSECA, PRESENT. ALTERNATE.
COMMISSIONER AMBRIZ, PRESENT CHAIRPERSON LADA. COMMISSIONER ORDORICA AND COMMISSIONER
[Approval of Agenda]
MURILLO ARE ABSENT. ALRIGHTY. SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. AT THIS TIME, THE COMMISSION MAY ANNOUNCE ANY ITEMS BEING PULLED FROM THE AGENDA OR CONTINUED TO ANOTHER DATE OR REQUEST THE MOVING OF AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY HOPE FOR A SECOND OR A MOTION TO APPROVE? YES. ALRIGHTY. AND THEN DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT.ALL RIGHT. CAN I GET A ROLL CALL VOTE? VICE CHAIRPERSON TORRES. YES. COMMISSIONER.
FONSECA. YES. COMMISSIONER. AMBRIZ. YES. THANK YOU. ALRIGHTY. SO NOW MOVING ON TO
[Approval Of The Minutes]
THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, OCTOBER 7TH, 2026.MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 7TH, 2026. I'LL SECOND. ALRIGHTY. ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS? CAN WE GET A ROLL CALL? VOTE. OH, SORRY. I'M SO SORRY, VICE CHAIRPERSON TORRES. YES, COMMISSIONER. FONSECA. YES. ALTERNATE COMMISSIONER AMBRIZ. YES, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER MURILLO AND CHAIRPERSON LAURA ARE ABSENT. ALL RIGHT. ALRIGHTY.
NOW, MOVING ON TO ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS. THERE ARE NONE. ALRIGHTY. NOW WE'LL OPEN IT FOR AT 603 FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ANY ITEM OF INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT IS WITHIN THE SUBJECT JURISDICTION THEREOF. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT AT 6:04 P.M. IF THERE'S ANYBODY ON ZOOM WHO'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THERE ARE NONE. ALRIGHTY. CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT AT 6:04 P.M. REPORTS AND REQUESTS.
THERE ARE NONE. NON HEARING ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE. OKAY, MOVING ON TO PUBLIC HEARING
[Public Hearing Calendar (Quasi-Judicial)]
CALENDAR. QUASI JUDICIAL. NUMBER NUMBER TWO. RESOLUTION NUMBER PC2026-33. RECOMMENDING THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER ONE 1240. ESTABLISHING EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS. WE DO HAVE A PRESENTATION BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR KENDRA REED. THANK YOU ADRIAN. GOOD EVENING, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER.THE ITEM WELL, I'M SORRY, VICE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS A PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ESTABLISH AN AN EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN THE CITY OF COACHELLA. THE ORDINANCE IS INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE MANDATED EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR REVIEWING AND APPROVING EV CHARGING STATIONS. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS TO COMPLY WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPEDITED EV CHARGING. STATION PERMITTING, THE ORDINANCE WOULD ADD CHAPTER 17.120 TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND ESTABLISH A STREAMLINED ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW PROCESS. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO INSTALL EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE, WHILE MAINTAINING THE CITY'S ABILITY TO ENFORCE APPLICABLE HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS. THE ORDINANCE RESPONDS TO STATE LEGISLATION, PRIMARILY ASSEMBLY BILLS 1236 AND 970, WHICH REQUIRE CITIES TO STREAMLINE EV CHARGING STATION PERMITS AND ESTABLISH SPECIFIC PROCESSING TIMELINES. ON OCTOBER 14TH, THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED URGENCY ORDINANCE NUMBER 1239 TO PUT THESE REQUIREMENTS INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WOULD ESTABLISH THESE REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE CITY'S REGULAR ADOPTION ORDINANCE ADOPTION PROCESS. UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, THE BUILDING OFFICIAL WOULD OVERSEE THE EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS.
THE CITY WOULD MAINTAIN A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE APPLICATION CHECKLIST AND APPLICATIONS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SUBMIT, OR APPLICANTS WOULD BE ABLE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY. THE REQUIRED CHECKLIST AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS INVOLVES THE PROCESSING DEADLINES ESTABLISHED BY STATE LAW FOR PROJECTS WITH 1 TO 25 CHARGING STATIONS, THE CITY GENERALLY HAS FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO IDENTIFY AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION AND 20 BUSINESS DAYS TO ISSUE A DENIAL OR
[00:05:01]
ADVERSE FINDING AFTER THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. FOR PROJECTS WITH MORE THAN 25 STATIONS, THOSE TIMELINES INCREASE TO TEN AND 40 BUSINESS DAYS. AN IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT APPLICATIONS MAY BE DEEMED COMPLETE OR APPROVED. IF THE CITY DOES NOT ACT WITHIN THE APPLICABLE DEADLINES SUBJECT TO STATE LAW. ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCE STREAMLINES THE PERMITTING PROCESS, IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE CITY'S HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. ALL INSTALLATIONS MUST COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, FIRE ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILITY SAFETY STANDARDS. A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT MAY ONLY BE REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A SUBSTANTIATED, SPECIFIC ADVERSE HEALTH OR SAFETY IMPACT. THE ORDINANCE ALSO ALLOWS DECISIONS BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL TO BE APPEALED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. THE ORDINANCE DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN CHARGING STATIONS THAT ARE ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING USE AND LARGER FACILITIES, WHERE EV CHARGING STATION IS THE PRIMARY USE, FOR EXAMPLE, A SHOPPING CENTER ADDING CHARGING STATIONS TO ITS EXISTING PARKING LOT WOULD GENERALLY BE PROCESSED ADMINISTRATIVELY. HOWEVER, A STANDALONE CHARGING FACILITY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS RELATED TO SITE LAYOUT, SECURITY AND VEHICLE CIRCULATION. FOR LARGER STANDALONE CHARGING FACILITIES. THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHES A MINIMUM LOT SIZE OF THREE ACRES AND A MINIMUM STREET FRONTAGE OF 200FT. THESE FACILITIES WOULD ALSO NEED TO COMPLY WITH THE UNDERLYING ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR SETBACKS AND BUILDING HEIGHT. STAFF WOULD REVIEW VEHICLE ACCESS, CIRCULATION, PARKING AND QUEUING TO ENSURE THAT THE FACILITIES CAN OPERATE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY. ANY ASSOCIATED CHARGING AMENITIES WOULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE, ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW. THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES A FEW ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW, SO CITY PERMIT APPROVAL CANNOT BE CONDITIONAL ON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION APPROVAL AND STATE LAW CONTROLS IF A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT CONFLICTS WITH THE ORDINANCE. WITH RESPECT TO SEQUA, STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ORDINANCE IS NOT CONSIDERED A PROJECT UNDER SEQUEL GUIDELINES. SECTION 15060 C TWO AND 15060 C THREE. ALTERNATIVELY, THE ORDINANCE QUALIFIES FOR THE COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION EXEMPTION UNDER 15061 B THREE.THIS IS BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHES ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITTING PROCEDURES AND DOES NOT APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANY SPECIFIC CHARGING FACILITY. STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER PC2026-33, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 1240. I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU. WRITING. I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST. SO PUBLIC OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT AT 6:09 P.M. THERE'S NOBODY ONLINE. ALL RIGHTY. CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT AT 6:09 P.M. OKAY, NOW, DOES ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS FOR ME. I DON'T HAVE ANY. I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION. IS THE CITY AT THE MOMENT PROJECTING LOCATIONS ALREADY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS THAT THESE POTENTIALLY COULD BE. EXCUSE ME. CAN YOU. SORRY. CAN YOU LOWER YOUR MIC? I'M SO SORRY SIR, I APOLOGIZE. I ALWAYS DO THAT. SORRY. HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. DOES THE CITY ALREADY HAVE ANY POSSIBLE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS WHERE THE CITY IS PROJECTING, OBVIOUSLY WITHOUT CERTAINTY THAT SOME OF THESE CHARGING STATIONS MIGHT MIGHT BE IN EXISTENCE. SO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DID RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO LOOK INTO SPECIFIC LOCATIONS IN THE CITY OR DO A, AN INVENTORY, A SITE INVENTORY ANALYSIS TO SEE WHERE THESE CHARGES WOULD MAKE SENSE. SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY HAS DONE IN THAT STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED. BEYOND THAT, THE CITY IS NOT PLANNING ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WAS ALREADY COMPLETED FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY SOME AREAS THAT MAY BE OF POTENTIAL INTEREST. COOL. THANK YOU. AND I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. OKAY, THEN I'LL GO AHEAD AND MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER PC2026-33. RECOMMENDING THAT THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1240, ESTABLISHING EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. I'LL SECOND IT. I WILL SECOND IT. VICE CHAIRPERSON TORRES. YES. COMMISSIONER. FONSECA. YES. ALTERNATE.
COMMISSIONER. ANDRES. YES. CHAIRPERSON. LORA. COMMISSIONER ORDORICA AND COMMISSIONER MURILLO ARE ABSENT. MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OKAY, MOVING ON TO
[Informational]
INFORMATIONAL. THERE ARE. ARE THERE ANY. KENDRA. THE CITY HAS OUR STATE OF THE CITY TOMORROW, OCTOBER 22ND. IF YOU GUYS ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT LAST MINUTE,[00:10:03]
BUT PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND WE CAN GET THAT SORTED OUT. I ALSO WANTED TO REMIND YOU ALL THAT THE COMMISSIONER APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN. SO THAT'S FOR EVERY COMMISSION. IT'S NOT JUST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION. SO IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY THAT'S INTERESTED IN JOINING ANY OF THE COMMISSIONS OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, REAPPLY FOR PLANNING COMMISSION, IF YOUR TERM IS UP, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO THAT. THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, AND THEY'RE AVAILABLE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. WE ALSO HAVE OUR RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT ACADEMY THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING UP. THAT'S GOING TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR, EARLY NEXT YEAR, BUT THE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THAT NOW. THAT'S AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH. OUR RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT ACADEMY IS ALSO OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE 16 YEARS OR OLDER AND A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF COACHELLA. SO IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY THAT'S INTERESTED, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO APPLY FOR THAT AS WELL. AND IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION OR ANY HELP FINDING THAT APPLICATION ONLINE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M HAPPY TO HELP. AND I THINK THOSE ARE ALL OF THE INFORMATIONAL UPDATES I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ALRIGHTY. AND NOW, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY CLOSING COMMENTS? ALRIGHTY THEN.
SINCE WE DON'T, I'LL GO AHEAD AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.