Clovis Planning Commission (7/22/21) 35-foot flagpole + proper entitlements for bar — fresnoland

Documenter: Heather Halsey Martinez

Here’s what you need to know:

• The Clovis Planning Commission approved a 35-foot flagpole on a property located in the Dry Creek Business Park. The flagpole required the commission’s approval because it exceeds the allowed height of 24 feet.

• The commissioners approved the proper entitlements for the Skyline Club Bar & Grill to continue operating as a bar with ancillary food use. 

The meeting (in full)

The Scene

The Clovis Planning Commission meeting took place on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The Planning Commission consists of five Clovis residents appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. They meet monthly to make decisions and recommendations on city planning issues and review proposals for compliance with the General Plan, in order to make recommendations to the City Council. 

Commission Members:

Paul Hinkle, Chair (also real estate agent with Kellner Properties)

Mike Cunningham, Chair Pro Tem

Alma Antuna

Brandon Bedsted (also Director of IT & Data Services, Community Medical Centers)

Amy Hatcher

The meeting was made available via Webex and YouTube Live. The agenda states that Webex participation continues to be available. Hinkle was absent so Cunningham served as chair for the meeting. 

The meeting opened quickly with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Bedsted.

It was then opened for comments by the commissioners or secretary. City Manager Luke Serpa told the commission and public that there is a public meeting scheduled to discuss the Shaw Ave. capital improvement project on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Clovis East High School lecture hall. 

Cunningham then opened the meeting for public comment and no comments were made online or in council chambers. 

Actions

• Approved minutes from the June 24, 2021 meeting.

• Approved a request for a sign review permit to modify the height standards to allow the installation of a 35-foot tall flagpole on a property located at 541 DeWitt Avenue in the Dry Creek Industrial business park. 

  • Assistant Planner Emily Lane presented the item. 

  • Gary Horton owns the property. 

  • Flagpoles exceeding 24 feet must be reviewed and approved by the commission.

  • Antuna asked why they would want a 35-foot pole if it’s higher than the top of the building. 

    • Lane said that they want a large flag that is as high as it can be. 

• Approved a conditional use permit for the existing Skyline Club Bar & Grill with ancillary food use for its zone at 1419 Railroad Avenue. 

  • Assistant Planner Kelsey George presented the item.

  • The bar already has a Type 47 ABC license to serve beer, wine and distilled spirits in a light industrial zone district.

  • The bar has been operating at its present location for nearly 55 years, but has not had the proper entitlement. 

  • Hatcher asked if the applicant was aware of all the conditions because a few were contradictory to what their letter states. 

    • George said they are.

  • Antuna then clarified that they were just approving the current permit to bring the business into compliance with current standards. 

    • George said yes, they have a Type 47 license currently, the commission is just conditionally permitting it to continue in that zone. 

  • Hatcher asked about the special events allowed. 

    • George said the special events are approved by the ABC and they will include fundraisers, Halloween events in the parking lot, etc. and they are only allowed to have four per year. 

    • Hatcher further clarified if they are currently complying with the event standard. George said that all are contingent on the Clovis Police Department’s approval in accordance with ABC. 

  • Bedsted asked for further clarification that they will not be gaining authorization to allow permanent outdoor dining. 

    • George confirmed that was not the case and an approval would just bring the business into conformance. Outdoor dining will be reviewed at a later date, if applicable. 

  • Brynn and John Grady were in council chambers on behalf of the applicant. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Future Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for August 26 and September 23, 2021.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.