Public hearing on permit for second Red Onion

The Porterville City Council will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday regarding the modification or revocation of a conditional use permit issued to the developer of a second Red Onion eatery on the southeast corner of Putnam Avenue and Leggett Street.

After the hearing, the council is expected to consider the circumstances of the project and provide staff with the city’s Community Development Department with further direction.

According to a report prepared by city staff, the project has been in the works since Feb. 19, 2008, when the council adopted a resolution allowing for the construction of a drive-through restaurant and drive-through coffee kiosk at 815 E. Putnam Ave. The developer of the project submitted a set of plans to the city’s public works department to obtain construction permits on March 6, 2008, and on Nov. 29, 2010, the plans were approved by all required departments. The building permits were issued to the developer on July 16 and on Feb. 14, during the final inspection of the new building, city staff spotted what they describe as “deviations in the constructed building from the conditions and plans approved by city council.”

Many of the deviations from the approved plans are not easily correctable, and therefore, the matter has been scheduled for the council’s consideration Tuesday, the staff report further states.

Some of those deviations include the omission of a 600-square-foot coffee kiosk, the color and finish of the existing building are not compatible with the neighboring convenience store, the heating and air conditioning unit installed on the roof is not screened from public view, and a street light is required to be installed along Putnam Avenue, which the developer has not indicated a willingness to install, the report states.

On Tuesday, the council will consider the following three options:

•  Modify the conditional use permit to allow occupancy of the restaurant subject to the original conditions of approval, provided the specific code requirements are met

•  Modify the permit to allow occupancy of the restaurant and impose or remove new conditions of approval, under grounds that one or more of the original conditions of the permit is unworkable and impractical

•  Revoke the permit and not allow occupancy of the restaurant based on lack of compliance with the approved plans and conditions of approval

The council is set to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, in the council chambers at City Hall, 291 N. Main St.

To view Tuesday’s agenda in its entirety, visit http://www.ci.porterville.ca.us/govt/CityCouncil/Agendas/.