Please note: this meeting's minutes have not been finalized yet. Actions taken on legislation and their results are not available.
Meeting Name: Planning Commission Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 1/21/2026 6:00 PM Minutes status: Draft  
Meeting location: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340
Published agenda: Agenda Packet Agenda Packet Published minutes: Not available  
Meeting video:  
Attachments:
File #Ver.Agenda #NameTypeTitleActionResultAction DetailsVideo
26-061 1D.1 Consent ItemSUBJECT: Planning Commission Minutes of December 17, 2025 ACTION: Approving and filing the Planning Commission Minutes of December 17, 2025   Not available Not available
25-985 1E.1 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0008 (“Large Lot Map for Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST) Phase 1”) and Environmental Review #25-0029 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant, Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 654 acres into 53 lots, with a Designated Remainder of approximately 285 acres. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP) and a Zoning classification of Planned Development (P-D) #80; *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0029 (CEQA Section 15162 and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0008 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0029 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0008 - “Large Lot   Not available Not available
25-986 1E.2 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0007 (“Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1A”) and Environmental Review #25-0033 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant. Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 78.1 acres into 167 lots. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, within Planned Development (P-D) #80, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP); *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0033 (CEQA 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0007 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0033 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemptions) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0007 - “VST Phase 1A ” (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution) subject to the conditions in Exhibits A, , S   Not available Not available
25-1016 1E.3 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0009 (“Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1B”) and Environmental Review #25-0034 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant. Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 78.1 acres into 167 lots. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, within Planned Development (P-D) 80, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP); *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0034 (CEQA Section15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0009 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0034 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0009 - “VST Phase 1B ” (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution) subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the Findi   Not available Not available
25-1069 1E.4 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0010 (“Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1C”) and Environmental Review #25-0035 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant. Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 75.57 acres into 66 lots. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, within Planned Development (P-D) #80, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP); *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0035 (CEQA Section15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0010 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0035 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0010 - “VST Phase 1C ” (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution) subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the find   Not available Not available
25-1071 1E.5 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0011 (“Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1D”) and Environmental Review #25-0036 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant. Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 58.17 acres into 197 lots. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, within Planned Development (P-D) #80, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP); *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0036 (CEQA Section15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0011 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0036 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0011 - “VST Phase 1D ” (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution) subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the Fin   Not available Not available
25-1059 1E.6 Public Hearing ItemSUBJECT: Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0012 (“Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1E”) and Environmental Review #25-0037 (Categorical Exemption) initiated by applicant. Board of Education of the County of Merced, Trustee, property owner. This application involves a request to subdivide approximately 89.58 acres into 300 lots. The subject site is generally located on the east side of Lake Road, approximately 5,000 feet north of E. Yosemite Avenue, within Planned Development (P-D) #80, with a General Plan designation of Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan (VST SP); *PUBLIC HEARING* ACTION: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #25-0037 (CEQA Section15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) 2) Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0012 RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Environmental Review #25-0037 (CEQA Section 15162 Findings and Categorical Exemption) and Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map #25-0012 - “VST Phase 1E ” (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution) subject to the conditions in Exhibit A and the Fin   Not available Not available
26-062 1F.1 Business ItemSUBJECT: Report by Planning Manager of Upcoming Agenda Items ACTION Information only.   Not available Not available
26-063 1F.2 Business ItemSUBJECT: Calendar of Meetings/Events Jan. 20 City Council, 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday) 21 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m. Feb.|99|City Council, 6:00 p.m. |99|Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m. 17 City Council, 6:00 p.m. 18 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m. 24 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, 4:00 p.m. Mar.|99|City Council, 6:00 p.m. |99|Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m. 16 City Council, 6:00 p.m. 18 Planning Commission, 6:00 p.m.   Not available Not available
26-064 1F.3 Business ItemSUBJECT: Planning Commission Comments REPORT IN BRIEF Provides an opportunity for Commissioners to make a brief announcement on any activity(ies) she/he has attended on behalf of the City and to make a brief announcement on future community events and/or activities. The Brown Act does not allow discussion or action by the legislative body under this section.   Not available Not available