Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The commission approved a conditional use permit for three temporary modular office buildings at The Well Community Church located at 1265 N. Minnewawa Ave. Applicant Jeremy Vandelinden said that the spaces would accommodate their staff.
- The commission adopted Class 2 and Class 32 categorical exemptions from further environmental review under CEQA. It approved a conditional use permit to allow a drive-thru Starbucks restaurant in conjunction with an office/retail building at 10 W. Bullard Ave.
Follow-up question:
- How will residents be affected by the Starbucks restaurant?
The scene
The Clovis Planning Commission meeting took place on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 6 p.m. The Planning Commission comprises five Clovis residents appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council.
The commission meets monthly to make decisions and recommendations on city planning issues, review proposals for compliance with the general plan, and make recommendations to the City Council.
Commissioners members:
Paul Hinkle, chair (also real estate agent with Kellner Properties)
Mike Cunningham, chair pro tem
Alma Antuna
Amy Hatcher
Commissioners not present:
Brandon Bedsted (also director of IT & Data Services, Community Medical Centers)
Others present:
Liz Salazar, assistant planner
City Planner David Merchen
Supervisor Shawn Smith
Jeremy Vandelinden
Discussions/actions
On Feb. 19, the council approved a settlement of a long-standing work case, Desiree Martinez v City of Clovis, a housing issue.
The commission will receive information about the settlement.
The commissioners (4-0) approved the Planning Commission minutes for the meeting on Jan. 25.
Public Hearings are as follows.
2. The commission (4-0) approved a conditional use permit for three temporary modular office buildings at 1265 N. Minnewawa Ave.
Merchen and Smith had a conflict of interest on the item and left the room.
Salazar said the location is north of Nees Avenue between Minnewawa and Clovis Avenues. The area is under the R-A (Single-Family Residential Very Low Density) Zone District.
Adjacent land uses are single-family in the north & south, rural residential in the east, and Buchanan High in the west.
In March 2021, the commission approved the conditional use permit, which allowed a 23-acre portion and three structures.
In February 2024, the amendment requests the following:
- 0.8-acre portion
- Three temporary modular buildings – 960 sq. ft, 1,440 sq. ft1,200 sq. ft
Modular buildings will be used as office space. Office operations are from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5-year term for all modular buildings will start at the date of occupancy of the first modular building. The church’s plan includes the development of a permanent office building.
Vandelinden said that the spaces would accommodate their staff.
3. The commission (4-0) adopted Class 2 and Class 32 categorical exemptions from further environmental review under CEQA and a request to approve a conditional use permit to allow a drive-thru restaurant in conjunction with an office/retail building located at 10 W. Bullard Ave.
Kavaso Investments LLC and Berzerker LLC are the owners, while Vermeltfoort Architects, Inc. is the applicant.
Salazar said the area is located on the Southwest corner of W. Bullard and Minnewawa Avenues. The area is under the C-2 (Community Commercial) Zone District.
Adjacent land uses are multifamily in the north & south, commercial (post office) in the east, and single-family in the west.
The project proposal includes 5,956 square foot commercial building with a project tenant space: 2,252 square foot drive-through restaurant.
Starbucks will operate from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. since the permit will allow operation until 11:00 p.m. Drive-though queuing lane will allow 14 vehicles.
The proposed stalls are 275 on parking, a 21-stall reduction from the current stall availability.
Hatcher said that Starbucks would attract people while stressing traffic and parking concerns.
Salazar said that the parking queue is reasonable.
The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Future Planning Commission meetings are scheduled on March 28, April 18, and May 23.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
