Porterville planning staff told the applicant on Dec. 3 that a proposed 12‑lot subdivision at 1040 North Line Street meets minimum lot‑dimension standards but requires several design and procedural changes before formal approval.

Chairperson and Associate Planner Oscar Tepeda opened the Project Review Committee meeting and listed preliminary planning comments, including fees, environmental review and code requirements. Rocio Mejia, assistant planner, said the application will require a tentative map application and that staff will prepare a PRC comment letter for the applicant in roughly two weeks.

The nut graf: The key outstanding items staff raised were (1) right‑of‑way and street geometry adjustments, (2) code limits on new lots fronting arterial or collector streets, (3) annexation because the property is outside the city limits, and (4) environmental review and associated filing fees — all items that must be resolved before the council’s discretionary approval.

Engineering flagged the cul‑de‑sac and collector frontage as the most immediate design issues. Javier Sanchez, engineering and project management director, said, “The first one's the right of way for the cul de sac. It's shown at 50 feet, but it needs to be 56,” and warned that Plano (the major frontage) is designated as a collector and likely requires added right‑of‑way and a 10‑foot landscape easement, which could reduce lot widths.

Fire and building officials described minimum operational needs for the subdivision. Fire Marshal Clayton Dignam said hydrants must be looped with maximum hose‑lay spacing of 500 feet and no structure more than 400 feet from a hydrant, and that two points of entry and exit are required. Building staff said short‑term measures (such as a temporary tank and all‑weather apparatus access) can be used during early phases if hydrants are not yet in place.

Planning noted additional procedural steps. The property is outside the city and would require annexation to receive city services; planning also said some lots do not meet the 60‑foot minimum width and would need a conditional use permit or small‑lot request. Meantime, planning estimated typical tentative map fees at $3,004 plus $39 per lot, a filing fee for environmental documents (county clerk) and possible costs for a mitigated negative declaration if full CEQA review applies.

Staff and the applicant discussed timing and next steps. Staff said the tentative map, annexation and any conditional use permit can be processed concurrently and that environmental consultants may be chosen from the city's list or provided by the applicant. Staff said they would document required changes and conditions in the forthcoming PRC letter and would set a public hearing after application submittal.

The meeting closed with staff reiterating that most concerns are design and procedural rather than insurmountable: “Aside from a couple of changes to the projects like where the lots are facing… minimal comments from staff at this point,” Jeff O'Neil, city planner, said. The PRC letter and formal conditions will enumerate next steps prior to a council hearing.