City of Porterville staff told the Project Review Committee that an applicant seeking to operate a culinary training program at a commercial site can apply for a business license now while completing related health, safety and public‑works items.

"You could start right now," said a staff member from the fire department while describing a short list of required items. City staff walked through department‑specific requirements: building staff asked that posted occupant‑load signs remain in place and warned that exceeding posted capacity would trigger a reclassification and likely require fire sprinklers; public‑works staff asked for backflow devices on water services and separate landscaping meters if applicable; refuse staff said a green bin will be required and food waste is being handled as green waste under current state rules.

The applicant said the project began as a memorandum of understanding with Porterville College two years ago and was signed last year, and expressed concern about repeated delays. Oscar Zepeda, chair and associate planner, told the applicant the city would refund an overcharged PRC fee "based off the project, since we charged you a large fee, and it should have been considered a small project fee." The refund was described as related to PRC fee notes.

Staff advised the applicant to apply for the business license while arranging inspections, ordering a Knox box and preparing other items; staff estimated the business‑license routing should take "a couple of weeks" if there are no building permits or significant modifications.

Next steps: applicant to complete safety and public‑works checklist items, submit a business license application and proceed with program setup; staff will send a written letter with department comments and the city will process the fee refund.