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Willows planning commission hears updates on recruitment, local projects and code concerns
Summary
Commissioners discussed a vacant planning commission seat, potential behavioral health clinic plans from North Valley Indian Health, Chevron traffic-study approval, new businesses including Little Caesar’s, stalled Jack in the Box talks, and a code-enforcement follow-up requested over a PVC pipe directing water toward the sidewalk.
At its March 3 meeting the Willows Planning Commission heard staff updates on recruitment, development projects and a city code-enforcement concern.
Staff said the commission currently has one vacancy and will refresh outreach, including Facebook posts, to solicit applicants for the open seat. Joe Betancourt, community development director, said staff is hopeful to bring several upcoming projects to the commission in the next month or two, including a potential behavioral health clinic proposed by North Valley Indian Health on a cleared lot on the southwest corner of a downtown block.
Betancourt also reported that Chevron’s traffic study was approved by Caltrans with no additional comments and that the project continues with full plan and spec development. He said building plans and specifications for a Little Caesar’s location had been approved and that project would be near the local Starbucks. By contrast, communication with a proposed Jack in the Box project has stalled and staff has not had recent contact with the project's manager.
A commissioner raised a code-enforcement concern after visiting the dispensary: she said she observed a PVC downspout that looked likely to direct rainwater onto the sidewalk. Betancourt said the city can investigate and send an inspector to determine the responsible property owner and pursue corrective action if necessary.
Staff gave further operational updates about a barbershop operator’s purchase of 510 Westwood Street and planned nonstructural interior remodels and painting; staff noted color choices for the Willow Walk repaint likely fall within acceptable earth-tone palettes that may not require formal design review. Commissioners were also told some roofing work on a nearby property remains incomplete and that a full roof permit may be pulled when the contractor returns.
The commission adjourned at the end of the meeting. Staff will follow up on the code-enforcement concern and will bring upcoming design-review applications back to the commission as projects progress.
