[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6179038,"mediaKeyId","5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33","parentId",5134165,"title","Westminster homeowner urges state lawmakers to require off‑street parking for ADUs","audioSeconds",3115,"startMs",862000,"endMs",3977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33&start=862&end=3977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33/thumbnail_862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179038/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-homeowner-urges-state-lawmakers-to-require-offstreet-parking-for-ADUs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179038-707b0a401a7bad9dece1ffd51fbf4edd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445371&Signature=bNYdAU6xAq4WzG1-6m~REvTq18A23yPN8hVAxcnkl2Uf4aME5bAMLM68NdNS6v86QgryIsayrDxNrZSz0uIN5sZ4sP3EjpmDOAvj4SJJpC-OYyANSDVunhFVf9O3ZjJVg9QyP1Btk6G~DmiL8QuNHHJWIQNYA3vxGA86Ku862w1abo2pGRwCIK--bGgXxIp0wOwRNkQtShIAxC7PLs7pqfc5x2K0jR5UzTqQSgu~GaTEXr4O6WA9fjf~xVErfO6zh5Z19FwNNjfo~J6yoWMbuUoHMImaN-z5KWSwI64aon-XbnzCDrzNTRuuNKDl3PoN0misnRX3rdmJe1F6qhSYDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Westminster, CA","date","2025-07-03T14:06:08Z","article","Charlotte Riffey, a Westminster homeowner, submitted written comments to the Planning Commission expressing concern about the increase in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single‑family neighborhoods and the lack of off‑street parking requirements for those units. Riffey said many homes already use garages for storage and that, as family members and ADU tenants park on the street, neighbor guest parking has become difficult to find.

\"I would like to urge the planning commission to relay these concerns to the state lawmakers that have been putting together the rules regarding ADUs for future consideration,\" Riffelman wrote, asking that ADU rules require off‑street parking \"commensurate with the number of bedrooms in proposed ADUs.\" The written comment was read into the record at the meeting.

Commissioners expressed sympathy for the concerns and noted the limitation of local authority to change state ADU rules; they encouraged residents with complaints to contact their state legislators because ADU regulations are set at the state level. No formal action was taken by the commission on the written comment; staff and commissioners simply acknowledged the comment and discussed the difficulty of addressing statewide ADU policy at the local level.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WM_Planning Commission Meeting_7-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Westminster resident submitted a written comment asking the Planning Commission to urge state lawmakers to require accessory dwelling units include off‑street parking proportional to bedrooms, citing rising on‑street parking pressure in single‑family neighborhoods.","taxTitle","Westminster, Orange County, California","taxId",4241,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179043,"Resident alleges violations at Lavender Hall; commission asks staff for enforcement update",2820,956000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33&start=956&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33/thumbnail_956000.jpg","/articles/6179043/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Resident-alleges-violations-at-Lavender-Hall-commission-asks-staff-for-enforcement-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179043-4f8b9ea5da6317f55066afdfe8b9d4de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445371&Signature=RRS9fwlwZ-MiBeTdEE1e6WITjqtNxZKSZc~DzTP1ULdfc-Nb-vW3I3liRliQ~q8AZDEUZQQJoAVF5dY6wDqLiO2eXXVz1JTwuE9vvnkr4h6Xm3bk--D6jx25W981uwt1-ZIiSwH13pUhpo9oejm7obQ-3QmLFCKZ7lR60~jMl6NQ8FJL75cVwardAkThA0ipPxNNOPsQlafsrvdVT2iRRWdRaTchP1smVVMLFJYE88bD9oIiHBK6EgqZ8PdcFR4sXGMTCMGyZpYOeDKP296Sz~5yqGXitB0TkAYJkuU3e0v2aCX208QEQbyT3T5bdr7jaEgWGYeA4LEI3A~0jaTS1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resident Terry Raines told the Planning Commission that Lavender Hall — a business previously reviewed by the commission — is the subject of ongoing violations and that evidence has been provided to police and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Raines said the commission's earlier decisions approving an upgraded liquor license and a full kitchen may not reflect the site's current condition and asked why staff granted any permit extensions.

Raines also raised a recusal concern, saying Chair Hamade recused himself at an April meeting after staff presentation rather than before the item, and criticized a recent appearance by Vice Chair Tony Buie on a Vietnamese‑language YouTube program that, Raines said, attacked Westminster staff and leadership. \"There must be consequences for these egregious actions and trust me, there's more to come on this matter,\" Raines told the commission.

Commissioners requested staff to coordinate with code enforcement and building to provide an update to the commission. Principal Planner Ken Fichtelman said he would work with Sergio Varenza, the city’s code enforcement manager, and building department staff to provide information at a future meeting. \"I will work with Sergio Varenza ... to give you an update,\" Fichtelman said, noting code enforcement and police had been involved in prior follow‑up. He added that code enforcement is a contracted position and scheduling staff to appear may require coordination.

At the end of the meeting staff reported that the City Council had reconsidered two liquor‑license decisions and amended conditions; staff said council removed some privileges (for example restrictions discussed at council) while keeping other conditions and that staff will coordinate with Police Department and ABC on standard conditions going forward.

No formal enforcement action or motion was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to report back with an update from code enforcement and building on Lavender Hall's conditional‑use permit status, any outstanding violations, the status of building permits for a kitchen, and any related enforcement history.","A resident told the Planning Commission that Lavender Hall has ongoing violations and asked for consequences; the commission asked staff to seek an update from code enforcement and building on the business's conditional‑use permit and liquor‑license compliance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179047,"Planning commission forwards industrial‑zoning use changes to council, removes self‑storage from M‑zones",915,2609000,3524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33&start=2609&end=3524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33/thumbnail_2609000.jpg","/articles/6179047/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Planning-commission-forwards-industrialzoning-use-changes-to-council-removes-selfstorage-from-Mzones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179047-e29c48dea7901ad4225148093107f0e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445371&Signature=nIV5Wy5qDhYcypo-yDGDljxDwbLAAC2GIliQQVW1yZ2F05vQtmBiCpCeVv9Tv7FscxtTxX4woQin9Kd0z8xxKhxa4QC8Buq1C1BFFayql9qFig3XS0cT1q-SjV5gf9RCduxA9pcP2veyLos7u4xvlLJySd7AUEy09kqaizsGnmPQDDym5bh0NRVSYQUgUZVK539ivB8Wrr969mTzcvgtpy7IaXyM79t68IM0x6xMeC9QV~sH52VjEkIIkVkvMniATHZgG~RhlZUJT1xyGLnrC~iILFBi0vxuKvVt3-smvx2E7C08znJtkfKXZ7rSJpVJsQnHT-HVomKFkYdaHX1Vwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward amendments to Section 17.23 (Industrial Zoning Districts) of the Westminster Municipal Code to the City Council, clarifying permitted and conditional uses in industrial zones and removing self‑storage from the industrial use tables.

Ken Fichtelman, principal planner, said staff reviewed code uses and proposed changes intended to protect industrial land for employment‑generating uses and to clarify that certain food and beverage production — including breweries, wineries and distilleries with tasting rooms — are allowed. \"We allow for food production, which we're also clarifying means beverages through this code update,\" Fichtelman said. He added staff removed some retail uses from industrial zones and recommended removing self‑storage from the code because existing self‑storage facilities do not generate significant taxable rent or employment relative to improved industrial uses.

Under the proposed amendment, RV storage would be removed from the M‑2 zone but retained in M‑1. Fichtelman said the change is intended to prevent proliferation of low‑employment storage uses in limited industrial land while preserving options where appropriate.

Resident Terry Raines urged clearer formatting and documentation for the use tables and posed detailed questions about the allowed uses, placement of emergency shelters and other items; he referenced Government Code Section 65583 in the context of emergency‑shelter siting. Raines also asked whether self‑storage would be banned citywide or only removed from industrial zones and requested staff include a zoning map with future presentations. \"Place the legend at the top of the chart,\" he said, and urged staff to make the table clearer for public review.

Commission discussion focused on balancing quick updates to prevent unwanted uses from being built by right with larger code reforms that could trigger California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. Fichtelman said staff limited changes to avoid triggering CEQA and to act quickly where sites were already under inquiry. Commissioners asked that staff consider adding a zoning map to future presentations; staff noted a full code rewrite and a master use table are in progress and formatting concerns will be addressed in that larger effort.

Commissioner Wolbert moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded a recommendation to City Council to adopt the zoning code amendment via Resolution 25‑014; the motion passed 4‑0. The amendment was described in the staff report as not a CEQA project. The council will take the item up at a future date.","The commission voted 4‑0 to recommend City Council adopt amendments to Westminster Municipal Code Section 17.23 to clarify permitted uses in industrial zones, add beverage producers with tasting rooms and remove self‑storage from industrial zoning tables; staff said the change is not a CEQA project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179052,"Planning commission approves height variance, development review for Golden West Circle warehouse",1270,1273000,2543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33&start=1273&end=2543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134165-19c4b130f3ff91f5dbc891e7b8220f33/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6179052/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-height-variance-development-review-for-Golden-West-Circle-warehouse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179052-9b1dcd19296caea5de57d03b21e76924/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445371&Signature=bpAdprmKW4QPYZjJMxJFXEQIh1keDDemBjvBrdCCY-WpbA5fteAUMOXyUf3e5iGDU9KMz7LevN66d02fzsrH9M3Bm~Sm3RjqmYreE1geXY5qBzou3Pcn3srRUNiYsY-z42l9Bj-n503R0JPD9ZF0ObFc-Gy-6e776EWHNOmyR2miX0D0x7RgEdssLM7TcyaZVYxhOaDb9I6206XNbs1Nho4fuHCHgJKZjfkqmDejiWVgyM~YGreNhRKuTG4TrXyRmo0mqtrNdBuUso~RWLMlk2AJHQoZVvVpaSxyl1Oi0mTtd8rkNBN6yVALfAOX8xRhk5BEsJzovgXSwf3sj8KF5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Planning Commission on July 2025 approved a development review and a height variance for a two‑story industrial warehouse at 15172 Golden West Circle, allowing the building to reach 44 feet — nine feet above the M‑2 zone limit.

Ken Fichtelman, principal planner for the city, told the commission the site is a 232,201‑square‑foot parcel now developed with a warehouse and trucking bays and that the applicant proposes a combination warehouse, office and showroom building with about 106,220 square feet of warehouse space and just under 9,000 square feet of first‑floor office and showroom space. The project includes 132 parking stalls (the code requirement was 116) and eight truck loading bays. Fichtelman said a mitigated negative declaration (MND) has been prepared and recommended for adoption.

The applicant requested a height variance to raise the building to 44 feet so the facility and its signs can be visible from Interstate 405, Fichtelman said, because a raised freeway grade and a roughly 10‑foot Caltrans sound wall have reduced visibility from the roadway. \"They're asking for the height variance up to 44 feet so that the building will gain some visibility from the freeway and their signs will be visible from the freeway, something that every other building along that freeway corridor currently enjoys,\" Fichtelman said.

John Cataldo, the project's architect, said the team reviewed the city's conditions and asked that the approval period be extended because construction‑document and agency review can take more than two years. \"We were wondering if at all possible to ... make it three years,\" Cataldo said. Tim Fan, representing the company and the owner, described plans for a mix of wholesale and retail showroom activity at the site.

Resident Terry Raines spoke in favor of the variance, saying staff had clearly explained the reasons for it and recommending approval. After discussion about the approval period, the commission amended Condition 6 in the resolution to extend the approval expiration to three years to give the applicant more time to secure permits and complete construction documents.

Commissioner Anderson moved to approve the development review and height variance and to adopt the mitigated negative declaration under Resolution 25‑012 and the related MND Resolution 25‑013, subject to the amended conditions; the motion was seconded by Chair Hamade and passed 4‑0. Commissioner Bulbert recorded on the record that condition number 6 would be changed to a three‑year expiration.

The staff report noted the project otherwise complies with applicable development standards, including requirements from the Orange County Fire Authority. The MND was prepared to address potential impacts and staff concluded mitigation reduced any impacts to less‑than‑significant levels. The commission record shows the action is subject to a 15‑day appeal period beginning the decision date identified in the notice of decision.

Next steps for the project include the statutory appeal period and then standard building‑permit and agency reviews; the condition extending the approval period to three years is intended to reduce the need for later extensions if multi‑agency reviews delay construction documents.","The Westminster Planning Commission approved a development review and a variance to allow a two‑story warehouse at 15172 Golden West Circle to reach 44 feet, finding a mitigated negative declaration adequate and extending the project approval period to three years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Westminster homeowner urges state lawmakers to require off‑street parking for ADUs

Resident alleges violations at Lavender Hall; commission asks staff for enforcement update

Planning commission forwards industrial‑zoning use changes to council, removes self‑storage from M‑zones

Planning commission approves height variance, development review for Golden West Circle warehouse