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Planning Commission to consider food truck ban, ag zones on Thursday
planning commission
Proposed changes to the downtown zoning regulations, including banning mobile food facilities from the Downtown Core, will be presented to the Planning Commission at its Thursday meeting. - photo by Journal file photo

A special Planning Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, where city staff will conduct a series of workshops and updates on upcoming projects.
City staff will hold the final workshop soliciting public opinion on changes to the city's zoning ordinance, as they review accessory structure regulations, proposed changes to the downtown zoning regulations, mobile food facilities, and proposed driveway standards. A draft version of the comprehensive zoning regulations update will be distributed, as staff prepares to bring the comprehensive zoning ordinance update to the Planning Commission at the regular Feb. 6 meeting for a recommendation to the City Council.
In the proposed changes to the downtown zoning regulations, mobile food facilities would be banned from the Downtown Core, the Downtown Core Transition, and the Office Residential overlay districts. Mobile food facilities are also currently prohibited from the city's Commercial Office District.
Additionally, the Planning Commission will receive an update on agricultural investment zones, as staff continues to review concepts for preserving agricultural lands in Stanislaus County developed by the Farmland Working Group.
Although not part of the upcoming meeting, the City Planning Division issued a notice last week regarding the construction of a new 2,106 drive-through Taco Bell restaurant at 3606 N. Golden State Boulevard. The application for the project, which was received on Jan.3, is still under review.
During the meeting, the planning commission is also expected to:
• Receive an update on the progress of the Morgan Ranch Master Plan;
• Accept a report on the action taken by the Stanislaus County Council of Governments on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Methodology, as well as the progress on potential legislative reform;
• Review an update on a proposal to update the Downtown Plan using an approach called a "pattern book" - staff are also proposing the City apply for a Strategic Growth Council Sustainable Communities Planning Grant in partnership with the Local Government Commission;
• Receive a permit application by the Taylor Veterinary Emergency Hospital, located at 1231 Taylor Rd., to construct a building on site to expand its boarding and grooming services.
The Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday at City Hall, located at 156 S. Broadway.