1. CALL TO ORDER: PLANNING COMMISSION
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 P.M. by Chair Dianne Thomas in the Helen Kawagoe Council Chambers, Carson City Hall, 701 E. Carson Street, Carson, California 90745.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Secretary Laura Gonzalez noted the roll:
Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Dianne Thomas, Vice Chair Louie Diaz, Commissioner Del Huff, Commissioner DeQuita Mfume, Commissioner Frederick Docdocil, Commissioner Leticia Wilson, Commissioner Clarence Johnson
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Jaime Monteclaro, Commissioner Carlos Guerra
Also Present: Community and Economic Development Director Nathan Freeman, Planning Manager McKina Alexander, Associate Planner Max Castillo, Assistant City Attorney Benjamin Jones
3. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Docdocil led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
None.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA (MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC)
None.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6.A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 14, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION
— APPROVE the minutes as listed.
Motion To Approve submitted by Louie Diaz seconded by Frederick Docdocil resulting in 7-0-0-0-2 Absent was Carlos Guerra, Jaime Monteclaro
7. NEW PUBLIC HEARING
7.A. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION FINDING A CEQA EXEMPTION AND CONDITIONALLY APPROVING SITE PLAN AND DESIGN OVERLAY REVIEW NO. 00018-25 FOR A 51-UNIT CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT AT 438 W. CARSON STREET (APN 7343019092)
RECOMENDED ACTION
— 1. CONDUCT a Public Hearing; and
— 2. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 25- _, entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CARSON FINDING A CEQA EXEMPTION AND CONDITIONALLY APPROVING SITE PLAN AND DESIGN OVERLAY REVIEW NO. 00018-25 FOR A 51-UNIT CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT AT 438 W. CARSON STREET (APN 7343019092)”
Commissioner Huff - Why is all the affordable housing one bedroom?
Doug Maupin (Applicant) - It's expensive to give away a two-bedroom. We are talking about selling units at $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 below market value to provide affordable units. It was a monetary consideration on our part.
Chair Thomas - I appreciate the emergency fire zone.
Carlos Gonzalez (Resident) - My parents' backyard is southeast of this project and they are concerned about their privacy. Are there going to be any windows facing their back yard?
Doug Maupin - There's going to be a parking structure facing their backyard.
Planning Manager Alexander - We had concerns about the adjacent homes and wanted to make sure that privacy was addressed. We made sure there weren't any impacts from the building in that location as well as doing outreach to the community.
Commissioner Docdocil - I want to acknowledge the fact that the applicant and staff took the lessons that we've learned from previous meetings about development. In this specific instance, the fire lane and the emergency exits have been addressed before bringing this to the commission.
Motion To Approve submitted by Louie Diaz seconded by Frederick Docdocil resulting in 6-0-1-0-2 Abstained by Del Huff, Absent was Carlos Guerra, Jaime Monteclaro
Chair Thomas allowed Angelica Garcia to make an announcement.
Angelica Garcia (speaker) - I am here on behalf of the L.A. Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to share information about Para Todos Campaign. It's focused on uplifting the southeast L.A. communities. With many upcoming planning and development decisions in this region whether related to open space, transportation, housing or climate resilience, they intersect with the L.A. River and we're working to ensure that residents, community-based organizations, and city leaders are supported in pursuing the river adjacent improvements such as shared multi-benefit corridors, green infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve air quality, safe access to parks, habitats, and recreation space. We also want to highlight that there are state funding opportunities available through the agency to help cities like Carson advance projects. As you continue to evaluate future development along the river and throughout the city, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, partner, share resources, and provide letters of support, or anything we can do to help.
8. MANAGER'S REPORT
Community Development & Economic Director Nathan Freeman - Given that it's day two for me, I'm going to pass the baton to my colleague McKina who's going to give you the update. Before I do, I would like to acknowledge staff who did an incredible amount of work to prepare the agenda and the report for you this evening. Our job as staff is always to give you good information so that you can make informed decisions for this community. That's always our goal and our objective. Thank you for your service to our community. I'm looking forward to working with you in the future.
Planning Manager Alexander - A brief reminder that November 5th will be your opportunity to present the annual project update to the City Council.
Chair Thomas - The election is happening on the 4th, which throws the council meeting to the 5th.
9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (COMMISSIONERS)
Commissioner Wilson - Go Dodgers!
Commissioner Docdocil - Director Freeman welcome to Carson. It's always nice to have these efficient meetings. We're continuing to learn based on previous meetings. It's a good thing in terms of growth. I missed the unveiling of our new amphitheater, but I had the opportunity to be part of the Philippine American History Month celebration/Larry Itliong which was held at this location. It's a beautiful facility. It's nice to see these developments come to fruition for the next generation to see.
Commissioner Huff - I would like to congratulate all my colleagues on the fine work that we're doing. Thank you staff for everything that you do and welcome Mr. Freeman.
Commissioner Johnson - Happy to be here and happy to serve. Welcome Mr. Freeman.
Commissioner Mfume - Welcome Mr. Freeman. I was very impressed by the amphitheater. I'm very proud to be a member, a citizen, and to live in the City of Carson. I see it developing and growing, and it's come a long way in a short period of time.
Vice Chair Diaz - Welcome Director Freeman. Thank you staff for providing all the information that we need to make sound and wise decisions for the betterment of the city and for the community at large.
Chair Thomas - We are very excited to welcome Nathan Freeman. He brings a lot of expertise, energy, ideas, and all the things that we need to move forward. Some of you have had conversations with some of my colleagues who were a little concerned from time to time about the lack of meetings that we were having. A lot of things were happening over the past few months, whether they were on a personal level or business level, the work was still getting done. Be ready, we are about to get busy again. The video that will be shown on the 5th is a small testament of all the work that we've done in the past. The commissioner and staff are to be commended.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned by Chair Dianne Thomas at 7:07 P.M.
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Dianne Thomas, Chairperson
Attest:
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Laura Gonzalez, Planning Secretary