The Fillmore Planning Commission held a joint meeting with the Fillmore City Council on September 8, 2015. There has been a flurry of activity and development in Fillmore over the past year. Planning Department's Kevin McSweeney introduced Maura Macauso who has been working as a consultant for the past six months and is now an employee with the Planning Department. McSweeney then gave a presentation on Fillmore's 2014-2015 progress in residential, commercial and infrastructure.

He began with the light signal planned for the intersection of Mountain View and Highway 126. Cal Trans is now requiring a 3rd plan check. "It's turning into a large project" McSweeney told both the Commission and Council. Cal Trans is now requiring a large 140 ft. retaining wall on the north side of the highway on both east and west sides of Mountain View. All corners will be handicapped accessible, walkways will be heavily marked and wide. "It will be very visible" McSweeney stated. There will be a dedicated turn arrow for traffic in all directions and will have the positive effect of slowing traffic down as it enters town from the east.

Hearthstone Development is paying for half of the cost of the signal which was originally priced at $660,000 but the cost was brought down to half and is now running $330,000.

The second project discussed was the Business Park Master Plan Amendment. Fillmore has in the past asked the original developer of a project to pay much of the Common Area Infrastructure Fees up front before the rest of the project is completed. Then as new developers come on board a portion of the fees they then pay are reimbursed to the original developer.

Due to the past recession some projects took years to complete or restart. City Staff had some changes during that time, along with changes in the Planning Commission and City Council members. This practice is being revised because, according to McSweeney, it has "become an obstacle" especially when projects are not completed or started in a timely manner.

Other commercial projects completed are the Family Dollar and The Stop which has Dollar General and O'Rielly's Automotive. Both have the inside shelving completed and are close to opening, but a major modification application has been submitted on the project and is being revised which will require both the Planning Department and Council's approval.

Residential development is moving at a fast pace with Williams Homes completing two subdivisions with 48 units, and three seeking Certificate of Occupancy.

More residential is underway for The Bridges. The developers have completed the required elementary school, streets, curbs, final grading and levee construction. The revised plans for the Pole Creek Debris basin have also been submitted.

The Bridges Oak Haven has 3 building permits for models under construction and the Sale Trailer is also under construction.

Bridges has 92 units of the Iron Horse track which is future construction called Phase 1B and is being reviewed for consistency with Fillmore's Specific Plan. The Commission and Council will have to review and approve it.

The Bridges Phase 2, a projected 459 units, needs Council approval and is undergoing modification from its previously approved Tentative Track Map.

There is also the North Fillmore Suncal project which consists of 146 lots to be sold with all the improvements completed and ready for buyers to build their own homes.

The City has hired consultants to assist with the North Fillmore Specific Plan development. The consultants will bring forward policy decisions that will meet Measure I which reduced the projects density and the consultants will help with determining cost, design and where to place the units.

Another bonus to our community is Faith Community's new school which has been approved. The school will provide classes for preschool through elementary.

McSweeney also spoke of the Astro Turf Ordinance and said there will be a Planning Commission public hearing on September 30th and a Council public hearing on October 27th. The hearings are to address an ordinance change. Presently artificial grass is not allowed in front yards, but due to the drought a change is needed.

During both those same public hearings there will be a discussion on Wm L. Morris Chevrolet asking for a video sign in front of the car dealership.

Community Services Supervisor Annette Cardona gave the Council an update on the Active Adult Center (AAC). The Grand Opening was held on August 8th and a number of agencies and businesses attended in support; Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Braille Institute, Veterans Services, Ventura County, Human Concerns, Hi-Cap, Grey Law, Oasis, Catholic Charities, Scan, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Fillmore Fire Dept., Ventura County Sheriff and Fillmore Chamber of Commerce.

The AAC officially opened on August 10th and the first 11 days of operation the Center had 217 people participate in activities along with serving 167 home delivered meals and 293 congregate meals.

Cardona wanted to clear up some rumors or misunderstandings regarding the programs and age requirements. All AAC classes and programs are for seniors 55 years and older. The Senior Nutrition Program is for those 60 years and older.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging will provide bus tokens to and from the AAC to seniors over 60 years of age who are eating lunch at the center. Wm L. Morris will provide bus service to and from the AAC from the Fillmore Country Club Monday through Friday.

The meeting began with a Proclamation and a presentation. The Proclamation for the International Day of Peace was presented to Bill Dewey, Paul Benavidez with the Fillmore Lions Club, and Jane David and Sarah Hansen with Soroptimist International. Honoring the International Day of Peace will be held September 21st at 7:00 p.m. in front of Fillmore City Hall.

Fire Chief Rigo Landeros also announced the September 11 Remembrance which will be held at the Fire Station, 711 Sespe Place at 6:58 a.m. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend.

Landeros also wanted the public to know that during the present heat wave, when temperatures reach 95 degrees and higher, the AAC will have a sign informing residents it is a cooling center and will stay open until 8:00 p.m. for those who need a place to stay cool. Water will be served.