Planning Commission Regular Meeting

APRIL MINUTES OJAI PLANNING COMMISSION May 20, 2026 Call to Order Chair Murphy called the regular meeting of the Ojai Planning Commission to order on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person and via teleconference). Roll Call On a call of the roll, the following Planning Commissioners were present in person: Chair Murphy, Vice Chair Chesley and Commissioners Hanson, Rice Schmidt, and Steward. Absent: None City staff present attending in person: Lucas Seibert, Community Development Director, Maura Macaluso, Principal Planner, Darren Ziegler, City Attorney, Bryan Schurmer, Planning Aide, and Aida Lawrence, Planning and Building Technician. Chair Murphy asked Bruce Hanson, the new planning commissioner, to introduce himself. Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner Steward Approval of the Agenda The Commission approved the agenda as submitted. Public Communication None Chair Murphy announced the Planning Commission would go into a Closed Session Item. Commissioner Steward recused himself from the closed session as he has a financial interest in the item being discussed. CLOSED SESSION ITEM CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(2)) Significant exposure to litigation in one matter, based on the following existing facts and circumstances known to a potential plaintiff: approval of Zoning Clearance No. 2CL 24-107 for a project located at 242 E. Ojai Avenue City Attorney Darren Ziegler reported briefly on the topic of the Closed Session.

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 Page 2 of 4 Chair Murphy called the Planning Commission to order to reopen the meeting. Commissioner Steward recused himself from Item 1 as he has a financial interest in the item being discussed and left the dais. Disclaimer of Site Visits and Ex-parte Contacts All Commissioners present for Item 1 reported they visited the site and had no ex-parte contacts. Public Hearing Item(s) 1. Design Review Permit (DRP 26-003) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26-003) | The outdoor storage and use of an existing walk-in freezer and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area located to the rear of Ojai Mountain Farm restaurant, addressed 242 East Ojai Avenue. Assessor’s Parcel Number 021-0-140-370. Representative: Patrick Housh, Paul Poirier + Associates Architects. Property Owner: Verna Joy Adams; Applicant: Tony Yanow, Ojai Mountain Farm. Chair Murphy opened the public hearing item and turned the time over to staff Staff –Principal Planner Macaluso presented the staff report and PowerPoint. Questions for staff The Commission asked questions about the outdoor dining proposal and staff responded. Chair Murphy invited the applicant to speak. Business owner/Tenant: Tony Yanow addressed the commission and answered questions. Chair Murphy opened for public comments. Speakers: In person William Weirick, Larry Steingold, Renee Roth. Chair Murphy closed the public comment period. The Commissioners deliberated and offered comments and recommendations. Motion: Vice Chair Chesley moved and Commissioner Rice Schmidt to seconded the motion to DENY the proposed outdoor storage, use of an existing walk-in freezer, and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area located to the rear of Ojai Mountain Farm restaurant, addressed 242 East Ojai Avenue as presented by staff. The motion for denial passed as follows: AYES: Chesley, Hanson, Murphy, Rice Schmidt, Steward NOES: None Consent Item(s) 2. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Planning Commission May 6, 2026

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 Page 3 of 4 Motion: Commissioner Rice Schmidt moved and Vice Chair Chesley seconded the motion to approve May 6, 2026, regular PC meeting minutes as submitted. The motion passed as follows: AYES: Chesley, Murphy, Rice Schmidt, Steward NOES: None ABSTAIN: Hanson Discussion Item(s) 3. General Plan Update | Safety Element Administrative Draft Chair Murphy opened the discussion item and turned the time over to staff Staff –Director Seibert introduced the item and turned the time over to Ron Whitmore, Raimi + Associates, the Consultant for the General Plan Update, who provided a PowerPoint Presentation and was available for questions virtually. Ron Whitmore and Lexi, attended virtually. Questions for staff The Commission, staff, and consultants discussed. Chair Murphy opened for public comments. Speakers: In person: Dennis Colbern, Randy Coggan, Larry Steingold, Renee Roth. Chair Murphy closed the public comment period. The Commission asked questions, deliberated and offered comments, and asked staff to bring the item back after implementing the commission’s comments and recommendations. Chair Murphy allowed Mayor Gilman to speak at the podium. Chair Murphy closed the item. Informational Item(s) 4. Future Agenda Items The Commission received a report from Community Development Director Seibert. Director’s Report – Reported on appeals. Commission Member Report – Commissioner Steward reported. City Council Liaison – Mayor Andy Gilman addressed the commission.

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 Page 4 of 4 Adjournment There being no further business brought before the Commission, Chair Murphy adjourned the meeting 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Shari Herbruck, Planning Commission Secretary Reviewed by: Lucas Seibert, Community Development Director Approved by the Planning Commission: Judy Murphy, Planning Commission Chair

New Agenda Template 11.12.25

AGENDA

PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026, 6:00 PM

CITY HALL CHAMBERS, 401 S. VENTURA STREET, OJAI, CA 93023

VIEWING & ACCESS

Public participation is encouraged! The meetings are conducted in a hybrid model, providing both in-person attendance and virtual public comment via the Zoom link below. Virtual attendance via Zoom is the only way to remotely provide public comment. Pre-registration is not required for public comment via Zoom. Instead, Zoom participants will utilize the "hand-raise" function to indicate their desire to speak on an item. The meeting is also livestreamed on the City's website at ojai.ca.gov/525/2968/Public-Meetings , on YouTube at youtube.com/@ojaicity , and on Spectrum Channel 10. See "Public Comment Options" below for further instruction.

ZOOM LINK - May 20, 2026 - Planning Commission Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Public Communications is the time set aside during the Planning Commission meeting for members of the public to address the Planning Commission on items of City business other than scheduled agenda items. Matters raised at this time may be briefly discussed by the Commission and will generally be referred to staff and/or placed on a subsequent agenda. Under State law, other than for emergency items, no action can be taken at this meeting.

CLOSED SESSION ITEM

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(2))

Significant exposure to litigation in one matter, based on the following existing facts and circumstances known to a potential plaintiff: approval of Zoning Clearance No. 2CL 24-107 for a project located at 242 E. Ojai Avenue

DISCLOSURE OF SITE VISITS AND EX-PARTE CONTACTS

Commissioners to provide disclosure of site visits and ex-parte contacts for items on the agenda.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S)

1.

Design Review Permit (DRP 26-003) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26-003) | The outdoor storage and use of an existing walk-in freezer and proposed modifications to the existing outdoor dining area located to the rear of Ojai Mountain Farm restaurant and addressed 242 East Ojai Avenue. Assessor's Parcel Number 021-0-140-370. Representative: Patrick Housh, Paul Poirier + Associates Architects. Property Owner: Verna Joy Adams; Applicant: Tony Yanow, Ojai Mountain Farm

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Planning Commission:

1. Receive the information and presentation and ask clarifying questions of the applicant and staff;

2. Open the matter for public comment; and

3. Consider the resolution (Attachment A) and associated conditions recommending approval of the proposed modifications to the outdoor dining area located to the rear of the new restaurant located at 242 East Ojai Avenue.

Administrative Report

Attachment A - Planning Commissioner Resolution

Attachment B - CUP (07-05) Conditions of Approval & Plans

Attachment C - Color Board, Tables, Chairs & Umbrella

Attachment D - Plans

Attachment E - Arcade Plaza Guidelines

CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. There will be no discussion of these items unless, before the Planning Commission votes on the motion to adopt, specific items are removed from the Consent Calendar for separate motions.

2.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Planning Commission May 6, 2026

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve as submitted.

Planning Commission Minutes - May 6, 2026