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Commission hears calls for renewed general‑plan outreach and clearer tracking of temporary certificates of occupancy
Summary
A public speaker urged better West Side outreach and general‑plan review; commissioners and staff discussed the city’s temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) practice, permit‑tracking limitations and a timeline to reconvene the General Plan advisory committee and release plan elements.
A resident urged the Planning Commission to restart general‑plan review and complained about incompatible uses on the West Side; commissioners and staff discussed the city’s practice for temporary certificates of occupancy and the need for better permit tracking and quicker release of General Plan elements.
Dolores Armstead, a member of the Northwest Project Area Committee, told the commission she appreciated staff visiting the West Side and asked the city to improve parking‑lot visibility and to begin a general‑plan review so the city does not permit warehouses, storage facilities and car washes in neighborhoods. "When can we begin the planning, general plan review so we don't have more stuff like warehouses and storage facilities in the middle of a neighborhood?" Armstead said, and added that West‑Side residents want to be involved.
During director’s reports, staff said several general‑plan elements will be released in coming months and that the city plans to reconvene the General Plan Advisory Committee once the land‑use element is ready. Staff estimated reconvening the GPAC and releasing additional elements within the next three months.
Commissioners also discussed the city’s use of temporary certificates of occupancy (TCOs). Planning staff said a search of the building department’s permit database found no recorded TCOs since about 2015, but commissioners and developers in the hearing said TCOs were issued more recently and requested staff confirm records with the Building and Public Works departments. Staff said they will check Building and Safety and Public Works records and provide a follow‑up report. Jerry Arellano was identified in the hearing as the city’s building official.
Commissioners asked for improved, public permit‑tracking information and for multi‑year permit statistics; staff said the city is moving to a new permitting software but that the current system limits the ability to run detailed searches and that a 16–24 month implementation timeline for new software is expected. Staff agreed to provide a report on planning projects approved over recent years and to coordinate with Public Works regarding TCOs and off‑site permit signoffs.
The exchange concluded with staff confirming plans to release elements of the General Plan and to reconvene outreach groups once the land‑use element is prepared.
