Hanford Planning Commission backs zoning change to allow banks in additional commercial districts

The Hanford City Planning Commission voted 4-0 on Sept. 23 to recommend that the City Council approve Zone Text Amendment No. 2025-13, a change to the municipal code that would allow banks and credit unions to locate in several additional commercial and mixed-use zoning districts.

City planning staff told the commission the amendment would modify Table 17.08.003 (Commercial, Office and Industrial Use Table) and Section 17.96.02 (Land Use Definitions) to remove the separate "secondary branch" category and permit banks or credit unions in CN (neighborhood commercial), CR (regional commercial), MXD (mixed downtown), MXC (mixed community) and MXN (mixed neighborhood) zones. "We're removing the secondary branch category and just having a single category," a staff member said. "Staff recommendation is approval of of this item." The commission voted to send Resolution No. 2025-26 recommending approval of ZTA 2025-13 to the City Council.

Why it matters: staff said the current code limits most bank branches to the MXD zone (the downtown), which has a very limited supply of suitable sites. That constraint, staff said, has created challenges for banks seeking locations that meet their site criteria and has reduced opportunities for residents to access banking services. The amendment would treat first and subsequent branches the same for zoning purposes and add the regional commercial zone (CR) as an allowed location.

Discussion and clarifications: commissioners asked whether the change would allow existing downtown banks to add additional branches and whether small bank facilities inside larger stores (for example, an in-store teller area or ATM inside a big-box retailer) would be treated as banks under the code. The staff member said the city's proposal focuses on where a bank use is allowed under the zoning map and that ATMs are treated differently from full-service banking facilities. "An ATM would be treated differently as far as a bank providing full service," the staff member said. The staff member added that a full-service bank would still need to conform to the underlying zoning requirements for the site.

Formal action: the commission moved and seconded a recommendation for adoption of Resolution No. 2025-26 (recommending approval of Zone Text Amendment No. 2025-13) and approved the recommendation by roll-call vote: Vice Chair Douglas — yes; Commissioner Norris — yes; Commissioner Curtis — yes; Chair Ham — yes. The motion was recorded as approved and will be forwarded to the Hanford City Council for final action.

Other business: the commission approved the consent calendar (minutes from June 10, 2025, and Sept. 9, 2025) earlier in the meeting by unanimous roll-call vote. A staff member also reminded the commission of a community meeting on the environmental justice element of the General Plan scheduled for 6 p.m. the following day at the KCEO's office at 1130 North Eleventh Avenue. A commissioner noted receiving a city clerk email indicating reappointments to the commission, and the transcript records that Commissioner Nelson was also reappointed, according to that email.

What's next: the City Council will consider the commission's recommendation on ZTA 2025-13 at a future meeting; the council date was not specified during the planning commission session.