Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Sweetwater Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents, traffic engineer renew opposition to Sweetwater Road commercial project during public comment; minutes amended to record opposition
Summary
At the March 3, 2025 National City Planning Commission meeting residents and a licensed traffic engineer urged continued opposition to a commercial project discussed Dec. 2. The commission approved amended minutes to record two speakers' strong opposition.
At the March 3 meeting of the National City Planning Commission, residents and a licensed traffic engineer reiterated opposition to a proposed commercial development at Sweetwater Road and Orange Street and asked the commission to record their positions in the meeting minutes.
Speakers said the project discussed at the commission's Dec. 2 hearing would have increased air, noise and light pollution and created unsafe traffic impacts for nearby homes and businesses. Alicia Morrison told commissioners, "I would like to express my gratitude for your service on this commission. On December 2, each of you listened to the concerns of the residents and businesses along Orange Street and Sweetwater Road." Louisa McCarthy asked that the Dec. 2 minutes reflect "a firm opposition rather than a neutral position" and thanked the commission for "denying that particular larger than life onion project as a public health nuisance project." Michaela Planco also asked that the record show she "strongly oppose[d] the project" and publicly thanked certain commissioners for their votes at the Dec. 2 hearing.
Francisco (Frank) Rivera, a state-licensed civil engineer and traffic engineer, told the commission the proposal would generate too much on-site development and traffic for the size of the site. Rivera said the project posed "significant negative issues ... related to public safety, air pollution, and public nuisance" and said he planned to deliver an investigative report explaining why the project "should never have been approved."
After public comment, the commission approved changes to the Dec. 2, 2024 minutes to note that Michaela Planco and Louisa McCarthy had expressed strong opposition. The motion to approve the minutes with those edits was made by Vice Chair Cassell and seconded by Commissioner Armenta; the motion carried with four yes votes and one abstention by Commissioner Valenzuela.
No formal action on the Sweetwater Road and Orange Street project was taken at the March 3 meeting; speakers referred to the earlier public hearing on Dec. 2.
The planning commission adjourned at 6:50 p.m. and scheduled its next regular meeting for March 17, 2025, at 6 p.m.
