Fillmore Planning Commission hears downtown strategic-plan update; ARPA facade grants helped 10 businesses

Assistant City Manager Manuel Minjarez told the Fillmore Planning Commission that staff has been implementing the city's downtown retail strategy, including an ARPA-funded downtown rehabilitation grant program that helped 10 businesses with facade and storefront improvements.

The update, presented at a regular planning-commission meeting, outlined short-, mid- and long-term priorities from the retail strategies plan completed in 2022 and described tools staff is pursuing to support downtown businesses. Minjarez said the city created business-support materials (a how to open a business brochure and a recruitment packet), produced a branding toolkit with stakeholders, and launched a business roundtable that moved from bimonthly to monthly meetings.

Why it matters: The commission heard that the effort to boost downtown retail combines one-time investments, ongoing outreach and possible regulatory changes that could affect property owners. Minjarez said the rehabilitation grant program used one-time ARPA dollars and "was able to assist 10 businesses," naming Astrea Market and the downtown theater as examples. He said the goal is to increase storefront appeal and help retain tenants.

Commissioners pressed staff on metrics, timelines and funding. Commissioner Cameron Carrizales asked whether the 10 grant recipients were still in business; Minjarez replied that, to his recollection, they were still open and had appreciated the improvements. Commissioners also asked about council priorities and the plan's time frame; Minjarez said the retail strategies document was completed in 2022 and the city is in a mid-range implementation phase that still includes short-term items.

Staff described several policy and infrastructure items under consideration. A wayfinding-sign program is being developed with a consultant and staff expects to seek council approval to form a stakeholder group; Minjarez said one targeted sign off Highway 126 aims to capture eastbound traffic. The retail strategy also raised options including a vacancy-tax concept and a vacant-storefront registry to encourage owners to lease or rehabilitate properties; Minjarez said the city may consider removing a "one-third retail" requirement before pursuing more punitive measures.

Minjarez briefed the commission on other operational changes: quarterly power washing and planter replacement, improved sidewalk repairs on Central Avenue, and a downtown public restroom now open seven days a week. He said the city worked with the sheriff's department to enforce a two-hour downtown parking limit and has seen more available spaces.

On rail-linked tourism, Minjarez said Sierra Northern Railroad holds a long-term operating contract on the Santa Paula branch and that damage to the Sespe Creek Veil Bridge delayed tourist service. He said the Ventura County Transportation Commission, using FEMA funding, is working on repairs and staff has heard a hopeful resumption date of around July 2026; Sierra Northern has indicated interest in rail-bike operations and in leasing a ticket booth.

Commissioners and staff discussed incentives and events: staff has explored software for targeted marketing but has not prioritized purchasing it, and the city is working with county economic-development partners and film-permitting liaisons after reporting "several $100,000" in additional revenue from an uptick in filming activity. Minjarez identified outside grant programs and county partners as ways to connect businesses to available funding in the absence of recurring local dollars.

In subsequent business, the planning and community development director reported a groundbreaking for Williams Homes' Creekside project in North Fillmore (134 units), progress on the Bridal Subdivision with expected completion in December 2026, and review of a new 10-acre park with multiple recreational facilities slated to be finished before December.

The commission approved the consent agenda minutes for the February meeting by voice vote, thanked staff for the presentation, and adjourned to its next regular meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers.