Taft planning commission continues miniature-golf permit after parking dispute

The Taft Planning Commission on Nov. 25 considered a conditional use permit (CUP 2024-07) and a parking-variance request (Variance 2025-03) for an 18-hole miniature golf course proposed at 419 and 421 Kern Street in the downtown transition mixed-use zone.

Planning staff told commissioners the 0.14-acre site is vacant and currently operating under a special event permit that expires at the end of the weekend. Staff said the downtown specific plan requires one parking space per miniature-golf hole — 18 spaces for this proposal — but the applicant proposes four spaces (three uncovered compact spaces and one ADA space). “For this specific land use, it requires 1 space per miniature golf hole,” the planning director said. Staff recommended approval of the CUP with conditions (landscaping, paved ADA access and permanently installed ADA restrooms, masonry screening wall, paving for parking spaces, and required utility connections) but recommended denial of the variance. Staff noted the municipal code allows a downtown parking adjustment that would permit use of off‑site parking lots within 400 feet; city lots about 150 feet away could serve the site.

Applicant Bernard Herrmann, who has operated the site temporarily, told the commission he has spoken with adjacent property owners and tenants, plans to install a solid cedar privacy fence along the residential side, intends to keep existing trees and add more street trees, and said he had an agreement with a neighboring property owner about the three on-site spaces. “We would put cedar fencing up along the, the side of the, the against the residents there. It would be solid privacy barrier,” Herrmann said.

Commissioners pressed on safety and traffic near a site expected to attract children and on details of permanent restrooms. Staff pointed to Condition 1, which requires permanent on-site, ADA‑compliant restroom facilities and full paving and ADA access through building permits.

A motion to adopt a resolution approving the CUP and denying the variance was made and seconded, and a roll-call followed: Commissioner Depp (yes), Commissioner McDaniel (yes), Commissioner Black (abstain), Chairman Livingston (no). Because the result did not meet the majority‑of‑quorum threshold, the motion could not be adopted. The commission instead voted 4‑0 to continue the item to a date certain, Dec. 3, 2025, to allow Commissioner Black time to review the materials and for staff to correct minor paperwork issues.

If returned to the commission, staff said the resolution on file (staff-provided resolution page) contains the conditions that staff intends to apply.

The project is conditioned to comply with applicable municipal and DTSP standards, to obtain any required sign permits for future signs, to provide waste and recycling enclosures per city standards, and to obtain grading and utility approvals. Staff determined the proposal is exempt from CEQA under a Class 32 infill exemption.