Merced Planning Commission Meeting - June 3, 2026
Merced Planning Commission Meeting - June 3, 2026
The Merced Planning Commission met on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting covered routine approvals, a continuance, and the annual review of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Commissioners discussed infrastructure needs related to rapid city growth and voted on key items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved with one abstention: The Planning Commission approved the consent calendar, which included the minutes of May 6 and May 20, 2026 (Item D.1) and a resolution recommending the City Council grant Vacation #26-0002 (Item D.2). Commissioner Swigger abstained from the vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the general public comment period or on any agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Continuance of Minor Modification #26-0008 and Environmental Review #26-0061 (Item E.1): Planner Kayla Barca requested a continuance to June 17, 2026, to allow staff additional time for research. The commission unanimously voted to continue the item.
- Annual Review of the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2026-2031 (Item F.1): Deputy City Manager and City Engineer Daryl Jordan presented the CIP, emphasizing its role in translating General Plan goals into infrastructure investments. He highlighted the city’s rapid growth (population approaching 100,000, potential doubling) and the need for upgrades to water, sewer, stormwater, and road systems. Commissioner Ochoa asked about major focus areas; Jordan noted that Highway 59 alone has a $7.5 million allocation (about half of what is needed) and that every major arterial will require rehabilitation within 10 years. Commissioner Ochoa expressed support for prioritizing water, sewer, and roadway safety, including red-light cameras. No public comments were received.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Calendar (motion by Commissioner Ochoa, second by Commissioner Gregens; passed with Commissioner Swigger abstaining).
- Continued Item E.1 to June 17, 2026 (motion by Commissioner Gregens, second by Chairperson Gonzalez; unanimous).
- Adopted Resolution 4185 finding the Draft Five-Year CIP consistent with the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan (motion by Commissioner Ochoa, second by Commissioner Gregens; unanimous).
- Upcoming Items: Planning Manager announced that the June 17, 2026 meeting will include the housing element adoption and the minor modification item.
- Adjourned at approximately 6:17 PM (motion by Commissioner Swigger, second by Commissioner Gregens; unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
I call to order the meeting of the Planning Commission for June 3rd, 2026. I now ask for a moment of silence. Commissioner Greggins, will you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? All right, we now move on to item B, which is roll call. Cameron. Commissioner Smith is absent excused. Commissioner View. Present. Commissioner Swigger. Present. Commissioner Ochoa. Present. Commissioner Gregens? Present. Chairperson Gonzalez. Present. Thank you, Cameron. We have a quorum. Cameron will now read information about how the public may participate in the meeting. Members of the audience who wish to address the planning commission are requested to complete a speaker card available at the podium at the back of the chat, council chambers. Please submit the completed card to the clerk before the item is called, preferably before the meeting begins. Please submit your public comment to the planning commission electronically no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments received before the deadline will be sent to the planning commission and will be part of the record and mentioned as part of the public comment portion of the agenda. Materials may be emailed to planning web. That is PLANINGWEB at City of Merced.gov and should be limited to 300 words or less. Please specify which portion of the agenda you are commenting on, for example, oral communication or item number. Your comments will be presented to the planning commission at the appropriate time. Any correspondence received after 1 p.m. will be distributed to the planning commission and retained for the official record. To view video or listen to the planning commission meeting live, go to the city's website, www.city of Merced.gov. Also found on YouTube or Comcast Public Access Channel 96. Thank you, Cameron. We're now move on to item C, which is public comment. Members of the public who wish to speak on any matter not listed on the agenda may speak during this portion of the meeting and will be allotted three minutes. State law prohibits the planning commission from acting at this meeting on any matter raised during the public comment period. Members of the public who wish to speak on a matter that is listed on the agenda will be called upon to speak during discussion of that item. Cameron, at this time, do we have any requests to speak? We do not. Thank you. We now move on to item D, which is consent calendar including minutes. Would the commission like to remove any items for separate consideration? My screen's not working. Oh hearing and seeing none. I'll make a motion to approve the consent calendar. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Ochoa. A second by Commissioner Gregens. We now move it to a vote. And we have it approved with Commissioner Swigger abstaining.
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