Tulare planning commission approves mobile vending permit and variance allowing four parcels

The Tulare Planning Commission on Feb. 10 approved a conditional use permit allowing a stationary mobile vending vehicle at 651 West Prosperity Avenue and granted a variance to allow a four‑parcel split of a flag lot that does not meet the city's minimum street frontage requirement.

City planning staff presented the vending proposal for applicant Sabino Guzman, saying the operation would include refrigeration and cooking appliances, provide customer restroom access and operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Staff told the commission the project is categorically exempt under CEQA section 15304(e) and recommended approval "subject to the recommended conditions of approval provided in your staff report." The commission adopted the permit by voice vote; the roll call recorded Vice Chair Miller, Commissioner Limas and Chair Miguel voting "aye."

On the lot split, staff presented Variance No. 469, requested by Kareem Salim Gowani, to divide a flag‑shaped parcel into four parcels and a remainder even though not all resulting parcels would meet the Tulare Municipal Code minimum frontage of 20 feet on a public street (staff reported the existing parcel has 59 feet of frontage on Bardsley/Bartley Avenue). Staff said the proposal otherwise met size, depth and zone district requirements and cited CEQA exemptions (15315 and 15332) in recommending approval. An owner representative, Steve Sparshot, spoke in support. The commission adopted Resolution No. 5545 approving the variance; the recorded roll call again showed the three commissioners present voting in favor.

The meeting also adopted the consent calendar earlier in the evening.

Next steps: the conditional use permit and variance will be processed according to the conditions in the staff reports and the adopted resolutions; any subsequent building development will be subject to site plan review and plan check as required by city procedures.