Despite frustration from council members, a mixed-use overlay zoning ordinance was unanimously approved by the San Fernando City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
The new zoning will allow commercial properties in the designated area the option to include mixed-use spaces or develop fully residential buildings in accordance with the development standards set forth by the council.
“We want to keep San Fernando as it is, we want to maintain this hometown feel,” said Mayor Mary Mendoza, acknowledging that the entire council opposes more dense housing in the city.
“We have a certified housing element, and if this is not approved, our housing element will be decertified. If that happens … we will have no decision-making in what is built in our city.
“We don’t want the housing,” said Mayor Mary Mendoza. “But our hands are tied.”
Councilwoman Victoria Garcia thanked her fellow council members for listening to her concerns and working together to adjust the language of the ordinance.
Agreeing with his colleagues, Councilmember Joel Fajardo suggested the process has “almost become a charade to an extent. The state tries to keep the guise of cities having control, while essentially saying we have to approve this otherwise we’re going to face very severe consequences.”
Further reflecting on her past experience serving for almost two years as a state assemblywoman, Councilwoman Patty Lopez said they are “elected to fight and be the voice of the people,” and hopes that “our newly elected [state] officials can do better in protecting our families.”
Lopez raised concerns about how much outreach was done in the community since many residents she spoke with were unaware of the rezoning.
“I would like to see more community consultation,” said Lopez. “I ask my councilmembers to be more proactive [in engaging the community].”
Councilwoman Mary Solorio agreed that it is important to involve City of San Fernando residents in these important decisions and suggested they look into doing more outreach in the future. Solorio further noted that approving the policy doesn’t mean that developments will necessarily be built.
“Lastly, I just want to add that we have done this study that states that there would not be any detriment to the public interest health, safety or welfare,” Solorio assured.
Daylighting Law
California’s Daylighting Law, also known as Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), which went into effect on Jan. 1, states that you cannot park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Wendell Johnson, director of public works, said that they completed their first survey of parking meters in the City of San Fernando that fall within this distance from the crosswalk.
“Unfortunately there are about 40 of them,” said Johnson. “So that is a loss of about 40 parking spots we have out there. So we are trying to get a handle on providing the community with enough notice about these issues so that they don’t have to receive unnecessary tickets.”
Garcia proposed the city could look into painting curbs red or another remedy to help prevent citizens from accruing parking fines.
Lopez Takes Issue After Her Commissioner Appointment Is Blocked
“I know for some people born here, [where] English is their first language, it’s easy,” said Lopez during her closing remarks at the meeting. “For me, it’s not that easy, but it’s not impossible.”
Lopez thanked Solorio for making her feel comfortable in her new seat on the dais and helping guide her.
“I’m an immigrant and I’m really proud to be a part of the City of San Fernando,” said Lopez.
Last month, on Jan. 21, Lopez’s commissioner appointment of Ricardo Benitez, her long-time ally, was blocked by other council members, who called Benitez’s public comments at previous city council meetings “massively inappropriate.”
Leading the charge, Fajardo played one of Benitez’s previous comments publicly and criticized him for an insensitive comment about the late Cindy Montañez – insinuating that she got cancer for having supported the queer community in raising the pride flag.
Mendoza backed up Fajardo, stating she was present at the previous meeting and recalled being “quite surprised” by Benitez’s comments, calling them “incredibly insensitive” and “extremely hurtful.”
She continued to say that commissioners represent the City of San Fernando and should do so with respect.
“I hope that you use better judgment if you are placed on the commission and that you maintain a level of respect … if you are appointed,” said Mendoza. “Because you are representing the City of San Fernando. You will be representing Councilmember Lopez and all of us. This entire city. And making statements like that is not what we want our representatives to do.”
While Lopez suggested that immigrants like herself and Benitez are often misinterpreted in their remarks because of language barriers, and said this was a kind of political retaliation, Benitez had the benefit of a Spanish language interpreter who translated his remarks. Benitez has been at the center of other controversial incidents in the community.
“If in the rare instance, there is a commissioner who has either been immeasurably rude, offensive, disrespectful to a member of the public or large groups of the public, that should be known,” said Fajardo.
“I think that it’s inappropriate to call this anything other than vetting,” retorted Fajardo. “Saying that it is political retaliation, I think is unfair to everyone in this room, because it brings us to the premise that we can never have a critique of someone’s actions.”