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Taft planning commission approves downtown miniature-golf conditional use permit
Summary
The Planning Commission on Dec. 3 approved Conditional Use Permit 2024-7 for a permanent miniature golf at 419/421 Kern Street, imposing landscaping and frontage conditions and denying a variance for reduced parking; the action passed 5-0 and the project was found exempt from CEQA under §15332.
The Taft Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a permanent miniature-golf course at 419/421 Kern Street on Dec. 3.
Bernard Herman, the applicant, told commissioners he is "happy to follow all the requirements" and is "looking forward to the full build out." He answered commissioners' questions about landscaping and hours, saying the business will operate during daylight hours and that a full landscaping plan including the street frontage next to the sidewalk would be submitted for approval.
Planning staff had recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024-7 with conditions and recommended denying the variance application 2025-3 for reduced parking, while noting a previously authorized temporary parking reduction under a separate code section. A commissioner read the motion that included a finding that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under §15332 (infill development exemption). The motion passed 5-0 on a roll call vote.
Conditions attached to the approval require frontage landscaping consistent with the downtown specific plan, submittal of a landscape plan, and compliance with the city's planning conditions (planning condition number 8 was cited during discussion). The record shows staff and the applicant agreed that the parkway area between curb and sidewalk would be improved by the applicant as conditioned.
Next steps include submittal of final landscape and building plans to planning and building staff for approval and compliance checks before final occupancy.
