FILLMORE : City Council to Hear Developer’s Appeal

The Fillmore City Council will hear an appeal Tuesday from a developer whose proposal to build a shopping center was recently denied by the Planning Commission.

The commission denied the application in November after the developer failed to include a rear setback for the center, as required by city zoning codes, said Mary Ann Krause, community development director for the city. Buildings in the center are required to be 20 feet from the rear property line, Krause said.

The proposed location of the shopping center is between B and C streets at the Santa Paula Freeway.

Developer Joel Block had applied earlier for a variance from the zoning code for the 18,000-square-foot mall, Krause said. His request was denied by the Planning Commission because it did not meet the state findings necessary to grant the exemption, Krause said.

Block said he decided against including the setback because residents living behind the property had expressed concerns about security.

“In a small area, sometimes it is better to have no space in-between (buildings) than a little space. If there is a little space, there is the possibility for horseplay,” Block said.

Block said he was hopeful about the outcome of his appeal.

“I think we will be treated fairly. We have several alternatives, some with setbacks and some without. We want to accommodate the requirements and needs of the city,” he added.

All decisions made by the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council.