At the Jan. 22 Banos Planning Commission meeting commissioners recommended the city annex 170 acres of land.
The quorum was led by Vice-Chair Christopher Perrecone. With the rest of the quorum being made up of Rob Robinson and new commissioner Gregory Hicks, who has taken the spot of Kathy Uhley as the commissioner from District 4.
The recommended annexation would be land for the stormwater capture project. The annexation would allow the city to be its own regulatory agency, according to Community and Economic Development Director Stacy Elms. As the land currently sits, it is unincorporated and requires the city to go through Merced County’s regulatory agencies.
The land sits between the city’s current wastewater treatment plant and current city limits. Included in the recommendation to annex is a general plan amendment to make the land civic/institutional in land use and a zoning to public facility.
This land would have been part of a proposed Highway152 bypass corridor, but those plans have been abandoned. According to Elms, soon a decision to remove the corridor from the general plan will be proposed to the commission and city council. The recommendation was approved unanimously.
The shade sail project proposed by the parks and recreation department will have six shade sails among five parks, according to Assistant Planner Justin Ragunton’s report. All shade sails will be above the playgrounds of the parks.
The parks that will get playground shades are Ranchwood Park, Citrus I Park, Big Page Park, Meadowlands I Park and Davis Park. The shades will be colored individually to fit the park they are in. Commissioner Robinson asked about the wind resistance of the sails, and Commissioner Hicks asked about the timeline.
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Heim was in attendance and answered the commissioners’ questions. According to Heim, the sails are bought from Zoom Recreation with an expected lifespan of 10 years. While he will look into it further, he noted that the oldest currently in the city are four years old with no fading and wear issues.
“We’re hoping to get this project started as soon as possible,” Heim said. “We’re aiming for either February or March.” Heim also mentioned that this project is under budget for the grant First Five of Merced is providing. “So I may be returning to your group here, to present some additional shade structures.” The site plan review for the shades was approved unanimously.
The Taqueria Trailer, La Jalisciense 2, will be located on the southwest corner of the Sorenson’s Ace Hardware parking lot according to Ragunton’s report. They will serve authentic Mexican food and operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday to Monday. Two mobile food vendors have occupied the spot before. Two employees will operate the unit. There are currently 22 other vendors in the city. The commission approved the permit and CEQA exemption on accessory structure ground unanimously.
The only public concern heard about the vendor came from Kathy Ballard, who asked if the location met parking requirements. Ragunton assured the commission and public that the location does meet those criteria.
Earlier Ballard, a Los Banos resident and owner of the local Baskin Robbins, spoke at the public forum asking about mobile food vendors following the rules as stated in city ordinances. The rules she claimed that haven’t been followed including no site furniture, working hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. only, at least two parking spaces for customers, two mobile units per owner only, taking the unit off-site when not used and a bathroom located on the host property.
“A huge amount of them do not follow these rules,” Ballard said. “I don’t mind mobile food vendors. They are my competition. If you have a right to be there, you have a right to be there, as long as you follow all of the ordinances.”
Also during the public forum, local AM/PM owner Roy Todd spoke about the trash of the new drive-through Starbucks at 2101 E Pacheco Blvd. Todd said that trash from the construction process has been, “Left on my property.”
“I’m 67 years old, I shouldn’t have to do this, this is not my trash,” Todd said.
During Elm’s report, she read the resignation letter of former Chair John Cates into the record. Effective Jan 13, Cates resigned.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must tender my resignation as planning commissioner,” the letter read. “This decision was not an easy one, but based on the current city’s political environment, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as an appointed official for the City of Los Banos. I apologize to the planning staff in this way, I hope you all understand. Be well, best to you all.”
When reached by phone by The Westside Express, Cates provided no comment on his resignation.
Elms reflected that Cates served for 10 years on the commission from Jan 2014 to Jan 13 of this year. And he was chair for five of those years. Elms also mentioned the resignation of Vice-Chair Perrecone effective the next day, Jan 23. His stated reason was a move out of state. Elms thanked Cates and Perrecone for their long service on the commission.
With the three vacancies of Cates (District 3), Reyes (at-large), and Perrecone (District 1), the commission now lacks a quorum until new commissioners can be appointed.
In her report, Elms also welcomed Gregory Hicks to the commission and spoke about her future attendance at trade expos. Elms will be going to the Food Processing Expo in Sacramento and World Ag Expo in Tulare to represent the City of Los Banos to potential industries. She also mentioned that the homelessness census will occur on Jan 23.
Commissioner Hicks thanked everyone for their “warm welcome and support.”
Commissioner Robinson thanked Uhley, Perrecone and Cates for their time on the commission. “I’m glad I got to serve with them,” Robinson said. He also thanked the staff and press. Robinson welcomed Hicks to the commission at the end of his report.
Vice Chair Perrecone ended the meeting with his report. “Thank you very much, it’s been a wonderful time. Sorry I have to, but I have to go,” he said.
