Planning commission approves sign relocation, food‑truck amendments, vacant‑property registration expansion and Purple Heart parking pilot

The Beaumont Planning Commission on Nov. 19 approved or recommended several planning items in addition to forwarding the zoning code update to City Council.

Sign-program amendment: Planning staff presented an application to relocate a monument sign in the Beaumont Village commercial center. Katie Jensen said the original sign program (approved 2024) established tenant-signage standards and that the relocation aims to improve visibility. The commission voted to approve Plan 2025‑0275 and directed staff to prepare a notice of exemption (Class 11 accessory structures categorical exemption).

Food‑truck and vending regulations: Staff recommended ordinance updates after City Council direction and a follow‑up evaluation. Katie Jensen said the draft moves quarterly inspections to an annual inspection paired with business‑license renewal, proposes an online location‑logging system for food trucks and clarifies timing and location provisions, including a GIS layer of approved vending locations. Commissioners debated inspection frequency, fingerprinting, ADA access and complaint‑driven enforcement; staff said annual inspections aligned with neighboring cities Hemet and Redlands and environmental‑health models. The commission voted to forward the draft for council consideration.

Vacant‑property registration and maintenance: Erin Liang presented a proposed expansion of Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 8.54 to require mandatory registration of vacant and abandoned properties across residential, commercial, industrial and mixed‑use parcels. Liang said the city's records show about 11 vacant properties presently, down from thousands during the 2008 crisis. Key draft provisions: register within 30 days of vacancy or city notice, provide 24/7 local contact information, maintain properties free of weeds, trash and graffiti, and a cost‑recovery registration fee set by council resolution. Commissioners requested clarifications on the definition of "vacant/abandoned," fee proration late in the calendar year, HOA interfaces and collection/lien processes; staff agreed to refine definitions and flag prorating and fee‑structure options for council. The commission voted to forward the ordinance recommendation with those clarifications.

Purple Heart parking pilot: Staff described a voluntary, citywide pilot reserving parking for Purple Heart license‑plate holders. Kylie Preciado said the program would provide standardized signage and voluntary business participation, and the VFW post 233 has endorsed the pilot. The plan relies on an honor system with property owners able to request enforcement action (for example, trespass) if non‑recipients occupy designated spaces. The commission adopted a resolution supporting Council authorization to launch the pilot.

Public comments in the record: Staff read three written comment letters into the record in support of the zoning update (Trammell Crow Company and Chino Valley Ranchers/Kathy Nichols) and a critical letter from CalHDF regarding ADUs. The CalHDF concerns were the subject of staff clarification on ADU subsection (c).

Votes at a glance: - Item C‑1 (minutes): Approved (roll-call: Copeland Yes; Cueva Yes; Southard Yes). - Item C‑2 (zoning code/map update recommendation): Forwarded to City Council (Yes: 3, No: 0). - Item C‑3 (Beaumont Village sign program amendment Plan 2025‑0275): Approved (unanimous). - IMC4 (food‑truck/peddler/sidewalk vending ordinance amendments): Recommended to City Council. - Item C‑5 (vacant/abandoned property registration expansion): Recommended to City Council with clarifications requested by commission. - Item C‑6 (Purple Heart parking pilot resolution): Supported (unanimous).

The commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m.