Planning commission approves exception to underground-utility requirement for Del Mar subdivision

The San Joaquin County Planning Commission voted to approve revisions to a previously approved subdivision that will keep utilities serving existing homes on the west side of South Del Mar Avenue above ground while locating new subdivision utilities underground.

Assistant Planner Jessica Lehi presented the staff report, saying the application is "a revisions of approved action from major subdivision number PA-0500469 to modify the public works condition of approval" and that "the subdivision includes 114 parcels." Lehi told commissioners the request affects only the parcels along South Del Mar Avenue and that Public Works reviewed and supported the proposed change.

Lehi said the change is intended to avoid placing "any unnecessary burden on the neighboring residences" by allowing the utilities that currently supply power to existing residences on the west side of Del Mar Avenue to remain above ground while utilities for the new subdivision would be located underground. Lehi recommended the commission adopt findings and approve the revisions (staff recommendation: Revisions of Approved Actions number PADash240530).

Jonathan Leish, representing LGI Homes, thanked county staff and said he was available to answer questions. After no public testimony for or against the item, the commission deliberated and moved to approve the revisions as presented by staff. Commissioner Ruestaler placed the motion; Commissioner Melis seconded. The motion passed on a recorded vote of three in favor, none opposed, with Commissioner Senghal absent.

The final map for the larger subdivision was recorded in June 2022, and the staff report identified the change as limited to the parcels outlined along South Del Mar Avenue. The record indicates Public Works reviewed the proposed revision before the Planning Commission hearing.

The commission did not receive any written conditions, financing changes, or amendments affecting the approved lot count in the hearing record; the application as presented kept the previously recorded final map and modified only the public-works condition regarding placement of utilities.

Questions raised in the hearing focused on the scope of the revision (limited to existing residences along Del Mar Avenue) and on staff confirmation that undergrounding the new subdivision utilities meets the development-title requirements. No opponents spoke at the hearing, and no amendments to the staff recommendation were proposed.

Next steps: with the Planning Commission approval the revised condition is effective as part of the subdivision approval record; the transcript does not specify any additional required board review for this revision.