Project Review Committee gives preliminary feedback on 80-unit Con Apartments on Indiana Street

Oscar Cepeda, chairperson and associate planner for the City of Porterville, introduced the second agenda item on May 7 as a multifamily residential proposal: “The applicant is proposing a multifamily residential project consisting of a total of 80 units, to be located on the east side of Indiana Street near Tomah Avenue on, project proposing on 2 existing APNs, which is 252301030 and 031.” Cepeda said the property is zoned high-density residential and that the General Plan designation is also high-density residential.

Planning staff reviewed code and design requirements the project must meet. Cepeda said the project “is within the allowed density, which you can have up to 30 units per net acre.” He directed the applicant to comply with Chapter 21 of the Porterville Development Code (building/development standards), to show required private open-space areas, and to ensure parking complies with the development ordinance provisions (referred to in the meeting as section 304.10). Planning staff also noted that under California Government Code provisions tied to proximity to public transit, an applicant can request reduced parking minimums where applicable.

The applicant stated discussions with the owners have included “that 10 to 20% possibility” for affordable housing; the applicant said that level of affordability would qualify the project for certain concessions. Planning staff said the specific concessions and incentives the applicant may request would be described in the forthcoming PRC letter.

Brianna Spry of Public Works (refuse) told the committee she had provided a prior letter asking for 10 trash enclosures; she and planning staff discussed whether parking or other concessions could affect refuse requirements, and staff said they would coordinate further. James Wickersham raised site-access and accessible-route concerns tied to circulation and parking geometry; he also confirmed the project shows one adaptable (accessible) unit per building to meet adaptability requirements.

Fire Marshal Clayton Dignam reviewed fire-prevention requirements and measurements the project must meet: fire hydrants should be spaced no more than 300 feet apart (measured along hose lays), no structure should be more than 400 feet from a hydrant, hydrants must be installed and accepted by the fire department before combustibles are brought to site, and minimum fire flows are measured per Appendix B of the California Fire Code (2022 edition). Dignam also specified that a fire-department connection (FDC) must generally be within 50 feet of a hydrant and not closer than 40 feet from the building where conditions permit, that minimum driveway widths of 20 feet must be maintained for fire access, and that Knox access boxes will be required for gated or secured controls or central fire alarm panels as appropriate.

Dignam and staff discussed options for sprinkler and alarm monitoring, including locating OS&Y valves underground (which would avoid remote monitoring requirements) or providing monitored valves and fire alarm control panels in an air-conditioned cabinet. Dignam said the project team could choose options that reduce monitoring burdens if the design places certain valves underground.

Javier Sanchez, engineering and project management director, said the project will require frontage work along Indiana Street under current city standards, including a widened parkway and an adjusted sidewalk alignment; street lights may need relocation. Sanchez also said drainage calculations and minimal on-site retention would be required and that utilities would need to be extended into the interior of the site; final drainage and storm connections will be confirmed during engineering review.

Cepeda said staff would compile department comments into a PRC letter; he told the applicant to expect the letter “to be in about 2 months or so.” No formal action or permit decision was made during the May 7 review; staff provided procedural and technical requirements the applicant must address before formal submittal and entitlement.