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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025
5:30 PM
PLANNING COMMISSION
ASHLEY BERTUSSI, CHAIRPERSON
JEFFREY CHAN, VICE-CHAIRPERSON
SERGIO LOPEZ, COMMISSIONER
ANDY ALVAREZ, COMMISSIONER
AARON POPEJOY, COMMISSIONER
ARMANDO MUÑOZ, COMMISSIONER
JORGE A. PEREZ, COMMISSIONER
CALL TO ORDER:
The El Centro Planning Commission convened in a regular session at City Hall Council
Chambers, 1275 W. Main Street, El Centro, California at 5:30 PM.
Chairperson Ashley Bertussi presided over the meeting.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Chairperson Ashley Bertussi
Vice-Chairperson Jeffrey Chan
Commissioner Andy Alvarez
Commissioner Sergio Lopez
Commissioner Aaron Popejoy
Commissioner Armando Muñoz
ABSENT:
Commissioner Jorge A. Perez
CITY STAFF:
Community Development Director, Angel Hernandez
Building Official, Frank Soto
Principal Engineer, Felix de Leon Jr.
Building Inspector, Virgilio Anguiano
Associate Planner, Andrea Montaño
Assistant Planner, Valeria Landeros
Staff Assistant, Poleth Lopez

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CONSENT AGENDA
Consent agenda items are approved by one motion. Commissioners or members of
the public may pull consent items to be considered separately at a time determined by
the Chairperson.
1. Approval of November 17, 2025, Planning Commission Minutes.
Commissioner Alvarez moved to approve, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Chan.
Voting Yes: Commissioner Alvarez, Commissioner Popejoy, Vice-Chairperson Chan,
Commissioner Muñoz
Voting No: None
Abstaining: Commissioner Lopez, Chairperson Bertussi
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Conditional Use Permit 25-04 for La Plaza Bar
Vivia Arellano applied for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a lounge bar within
an existing building located at 669 W. Main Street (APN 053-104-002). The
property is located in the CD-Downtown Commercial Zone which requires bars
and nightclubs to obtain a CUP. The proposed establishment, to be named La
Plaza Bar, would be expected to operate 7 days a week and will have a mixture of
seating, games, and amenities. No expansion of the building footprint is proposed.
Presentation: Valeria Landeros, Assistant Planner
Recommendation:
Open the public hearing and after allowing input from all proponents and
opponents of the project move forward in approving the project and issuing
conditional use permit.
Assistant Planner, Valeria Landeros presented the project, which consists of a
conditional use permit application for La Plaza Bar, a lounge bar proposed for 669
West Main Street in downtown El Centro. This proposed lounge bar would occupy
2,520 square feet of a 3,300-square-foot building, operating from noon to midnight on
weekends and open till 10 PM on weekdays. The Commission reviewed conditions of
approval including security measures, age restrictions, and maintenance requirements.
A key concern raised by the commission was the cleaning of broken glass and litter
around the property, particularly during morning hours when pedestrians are present.
Commissioner Lopez moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Alvarez.
Voting Yes: Commissioner Alvarez, Commissioner Lopez, Chairperson Bertussi,
Commissioner Popejoy, Vice-Chairperson Chan, Commissioner Muñoz
Voting No: None
Abstaining: None

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NEW BUSINESS
3. Discussion and any necessary action regarding attendance at the Cal Cities
Planning Commissioner's Academy
The Planning Commission started the discussion about the upcoming California
Planning Commissioners Academy in Anaheim, deciding to table the discussion until
the next meeting to confirm commissioners' schedules.
Commissioner Popejoy moved to table, seconded by Commissioner Lopez.
Voting Yes: Commissioner Alvarez, Commissioner Lopez, Chairperson Bertussi,
Commissioner Popejoy, Vice-Chairperson Chan, Commissioner Muñoz
Voting No: None
Abstaining: None
NON-ACTION INFORMATION ITEMS
No questions were asked about the new 2026 calendar or the Community
Development Report.
4. 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Calendar
5. Community Development Department Report
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Commissioner Popejoy, addressed concerns about the yard sale ordinance
enforcement, noting that while citations are issued for sign violations, there may be
issues with frequency of sales beyond the monthly limit.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 P.M.