Council rezones annexed VITA property to heavy industrial, confirms Rodney Couch appointment

The Bonita City Council on April 7 approved Ordinance 3885 to reclassify the annexed VITA property from R1 (single-family dwelling) to I2 (heavy industrial), saying the change is a cleanup to reflect the property’s intended use after annexation in 2021.

Council discussion referenced a March 30 planning commission meeting that placed the property on the agenda; staff said the reclassification corrects a statutory default to R1 and aligns the zoning with prior expectations. The motion to adopt Ordinance 3885 was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The council also approved Mayor Lee’s recommendation to nominate Rodney Couch to the Bonita Development Authority to fill the seat of the late D. Robinson; the appointment was approved effective through Feb. 7, 2029.

Other business: the council voted to table approval of certain minutes (item 3.2) so corrections can be made and staff can finalize wording; a hearing for Tom Shelton was continued to April 28 because opposing counsel was unavailable, and staff said notice regarding alleged lease breaches affecting the Joe Reed leases had been sent to the lessee’s daughter with no response to date.

In his department head report, City Administrator Brian Prince said departments are closing the fiscal year and highlighted two upcoming community events: a state-sponsored national tour visiting Vinita on April 14 and a Route 66 dedication on April 17.

During general discussion councilmembers raised public-safety concerns about vehicles crossing the centerline on East Canadian Street near Bull Creek and discussed pursuing cooperative striping with the county; no formal action was taken on that item.

The meeting concluded after standard procedural motions to adjourn.