Lemoore City Council (2/1/22) Teleconference meetings continue + general plan resident concerns

Here’s what you need to know:

• The Council voted to continue with teleconference public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.

• During public comment, residents expressed support and opposition for the General Plan Amendment No. 2021-03 and Zoning Map Amendment No. 2021-05. The Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 2022-04, denying the General Plan Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment.

Purpose of Agency

The five City Council members are elected at large to serve four-year, overlapping terms. Municipal elections are held in November of even-numbered years. Council selects one of its members to serve as the Mayor, who presides at meetings and represents the City in all official matters and at official functions. Councilmembers do not spend all day at City Hall; they have regular jobs like everyone else. The variety of experience they bring to meetings helps them as a group to make wise decisions.

Lemoore City Council Board Member Duties

The City Council is responsible for approving all legislation and formulating City policies. The Council’s objectives are broad and include translating public attitudes and service requirements into policies and programs, so that desired levels of service can be provided efficiently and economically. The Council keeps abreast of current State and Federal legislation. By participation in the League of California Cities, Council members are able to compare policies, techniques and procedures with other cities throughout the state. Close liaison is maintained with other Kings County elected officials to ensure that Lemoore’s policies and programs are coordinated with other public agencies.

Lemoore City Council Board Members

• Stuart Lyons, Mayor and Council Member for District A

• Patricia Matthews, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member for District E

• Jim Chaney, Council Member for District B

• Frank Gornick, Council Member for District C

• David Orth, Council Member for District D

The Scene

The Lemoore City Council meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 by Mayor Stuart Lyons. The meeting was streamed live virtually through Zoom, where seven participants joined the meeting virtually. The five Council members met physically for the meeting. This included Mayor Stuart Lyons, Councilmembers Patricia Matthews, Frank Gornick, Jim Chaney, and David Orth. City staff and contract employees also present included City Manager Olson, City Clerk Marisa Avalos, City Attorney Mary Lerner. Those who met in the Chambers did not wear masks during the meeting.

Public Comment

Resident Jennifer Solis said “I just want to give a shout out to the Public Works Department for working with me. I was able to switch out from a 40 gallon to a 60 gallon trash bin.”

Ceremonial / Presentation

There were no ceremonies or presentations.

Department and City Manager Reports

The department and city manager reports were not audible.

Consent Calendar

The Council voted to approve both agenda items on the consent calendar as presented.

• 3-1 Approval – Minutes – Regular Meeting – January 18, 2022

• 3-2 Approval – Resolution 2022-03 – Authorizing Continued Use of Remote Teleconferencing Provisions (AB 361)

Public Hearing

• General Plan Amendment No. 2021-03 and Zoning Map Amendment No. 2021-05

City Planner Steve Brandt said “This proposal is a request for a General Plan Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment to change a portion of the undeveloped site from Low-Medium Density Residential (RLMD) to Low Density Residential (RLD) and to change a portion of the site currently zoned Low Density Residential (RLD) to Low-Medium Density Residential (RLMD). The site is located at the northeast corner of State Route 198 and State Route 41, south of San Simeon Drive and west of Arcata Avenue. The new general plan designation and zoning can accommodate up to approximately 53 residential units. The current general plan designation and zoning could accommodate up to approximately 23 residential units, so approval of the general plan amendment and zoning map amendment would result in a net increase of 30 residential units on the site. At this time, no site plan or tentative subdivision map are being proposed. They will be proposed at a later date for review by the Planning Commission. Roughly three-quarters of the site would be designated and zoned Low-Medium Density Residential and likely consist of duplex and triplex housing units similar to the units Daley Homes has previously constructed along Sonoma Avenue to the northwest of the site. The remaining future lots to the north would remain zoned Low Density Residential and would consist of single-family homes similar to the units Daley Homes has constructed in the existing subdivision to the north of the site. See the attached exhibits for the portion of the site that would be changed to Low-Medium Density Residential.”

Mayor Lyons opened the meeting to public comment:

• Resident: “We are concerned with home values and traffic. We looked up on Realtor.com and noticed that adding new homes would decrease our home values. Sonoma Avenue would not be able to accomodate 70-90 more vehicles because of the home developments. Please no more apartments in our neighborhoods. Thank you for your service.

• Resident: “I respectfully request you do not approve the … I live in Carson and was told by the City that no new homes would be built. This was a really important factor for why I purchased a home here.

• Resident: “I want to ask the Council who would want to buy a $350,000 home across from apartments? When it is garbage pick up day, there are cans in the street. Right now, there is only one lane available during this time. Congestion would increase as a result.

• Resident Jennifer Solis: “I am in support of the project. Building the apartments would require less grass to water, which helps out with California’s drought. I checked out the homes along a street across from apartments and saw that the homes still sold at house value.

• Daly Homes Representative: “We believe we are bringing positive change. It has all the infrasture. I would argue that the development of the apartments is a great compromise, it is good planning practice. It is a good transition between heavy traffic and residential homes.”

• Resident Jake Zarraonandia: “I moved here about a year ago. I enjoy being a homeowner. I support this project because I know it would help people have a place to call their own.”

The Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 2022-04 denying General Plan Amendment No. 2021-03 and Zoning Map Amendment No. 2021-05

New Business

There was no new business.

Brief City Council Reports and Request

• Council Member Orth: “Thank you to city employees for your hard work.”

• Council Member Gornick: Not audible.

• Council Member Chaney: No report.

• Council Member Matthews: “I did not know there were 54 people that donated, which is a lot. This was my first time donating blood. Thank you City staff for continuing to work through the challenges.”

• Mayor Lyons: “I want to thank City staff and the police and fire departments for your work.”

Adjournment

With no further discussion, Mayor Lyons adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:52 p.m.

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