Porterville — On Dec. 2 the City Council approved land‑use and code updates affecting housing and construction standards.

Director Calderon presented the Vegas at Winding Creek residential project: an 8.76‑acre tentative subdivision proposing 32 lots, new internal streets, sidewalks, lighting, and 9,241 square feet of open space. The project requires a conditional use permit to allow reduced lot sizes (5,046 to 8,242 sq ft) given the RS2 zoning. Calderon summarized tribal consultation (one response: Table Mountain Rancheria stated site is outside their interest area) and environmental review (an initial study with a mitigated negative declaration circulated through the state clearinghouse). Staff recommended adopting the IS/MND, approving the CUP and the tentative map, noting project consistency with the General Plan and development ordinance entitlements.

A nearby resident, Greg Sheldon, offered brief supportive comments on design and road layout. The council voted to adopt staff recommendations; the project passed with a 5‑0 vote.

Separately, the council conducted second‑reading actions to adopt several ordinances updating Porterville’s code to incorporate the 2025 editions of the California Building Code, Residential Code, Energy Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, and the California Green Building Standards Code. The city attorney read ordinance numbers and the council waived further reading and approved second readings (vote recorded as 5‑0).

What happens next: The Winding Creek approvals allow the applicant to proceed with required conditions and permitting; the code adoptions update the city’s standards to the 2025 state model codes and will be codified in the municipal code.