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Council adopts development-code amendment allowing limited "minor adjustment" process after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing marked by opposition from union and community members, the Ontario City Council voted 5-0 to approve PDCA-25-002, a development-code amendment that clarifies administrative procedures and allows some projects in the Convention Center/Sports commercial zone to use a streamlined "minor adjustment" process.
The Ontario City Council unanimously approved an ordinance (PDCA-25-002) revising portions of the city's development code related to administration, permits and development regulations, after a public hearing and opposing public testimony.
Union and community speakers told the council the changes would narrow public notice and transfer certain adjustment decisions from elected officials to administrative staff. "I oppose item 19, which would allow projects in the Convention Center, support commercial zone to use the minor adjustment process," said Andrea Romero, identifying herself as a UniteHere Local 11 member. Romero said the minor-adjustment route generally requires only adjacent-property notice and often no public hearing unless requested, which she called "particularly concerning" for areas with public land or parcels being sold to private developers.
Charlie Carno, a research analyst with UniteHere Local 11, urged council to preserve the recent public review process that set development standards for the Ontario Regional Sports Complex. "Voters elect our mayor and city councils to make decisions in the public interest, including on setting rules like those included in Ontario's development code," Carno said, arguing that a 10% increase in allowable height should not be processed through a streamlined, limited-notice procedure.
City staff framed the ordinance as a clarification and administrative update to permit and subdivision procedures. After council discussion the motion to adopt the ordinance was moved by "Mister Bowman" and seconded by "Bridal"; the clerk recorded the vote as 5-0 in favor.
The ordinance was entered into the public record with updated exhibits and will be incorporated into the city's development code as described in the staff report. The council did not amend the measure during the meeting.
The next procedural step is the formal filing of the ordinance adoption in the public records and implementation by planning staff per the approved language.
