What La Habra's Planning Commission is about to decide
The commission meets Monday at 6:30 PM, Council Chamber, 100 East La Habra Boulevard. Planning commissions are the early-warning system — what passes here often heads to the council next. The official outcomes, from the minutes the commission has since adopted, are summarized at the top of this page. Every item links to the official record.
Source: official agenda (PDF) · Full documents: lahabraca.gov/AgendaCenter · Next meeting: July 27
✅ What actually passed (per the adopted minutes): The minutes for July 13, approved by the commission on July 27, record both permits approved — but the condominium map split the commission 3-2. All five commissioners were present and the meeting ran from 6:31 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. On the Corn Festival and Parade, Chair Ramsland recused himself for a conflict of interest before the item was introduced and handed the gavel to Vice Chair Cardenas; Recreation Manager Katie Elmore spoke for the city as liaison to the Lions Club, telling the commission the festival “originally started at El Centro Lion’s Park and they are excited to bring it back to its original location.” No one spoke in opposition and no correspondence was received. Resolution No. 26-10 was approved 4-0 with Ramsland recused (Public Hearing 1). On the five for-sale condominiums at 431 West Lambert Road, the applicant was not present. Ramsland noted the project was first submitted in 2015 and approved in 2020 and raised concerns about how long it has taken; Commissioner Mahecha asked why the units were not being rented as apartments given the shortage of rentals, and the two discussed continuing the item to question the applicant. City Attorney Roberto reminded the commission that the project meets all required findings and that the timing of the project is not a required finding. Staff said that if the units sat vacant they could fall under the city’s recently updated Public Nuisance Ordinance after 60 days, but that Code Enforcement would have no case as long as the owner maintains the property. Commissioner Manley said he would not support a continuance. Resolution No. 26-11 approving Tentative Tract Map No. 19436 carried 3-2 — AYES: Manley, Mahecha, Cardenas; NOES: Ramsland and Logan-Cannon (Public Hearing 2). The Secretary noted after each vote that the approval becomes final in 10 working days unless appealed to the City Council. The June 8 minutes were approved unanimously on consent, with no public comment on any item.
The headline: a light agenda — the only two substantive items are a special event permit for the annual Host Lions Club Corn Festival and Parade, and a tentative tract map converting a previously approved 5-unit apartment building on Lambert Road into for-sale condominiums.
🎪 Special event permit
- Corn Festival and Parade at El Centro-Lions Park: the commission will consider a Special Event Permit (Large) (SEP2L26-0004) for the La Habra Host Lions Club Corn Festival and Parade — festival activities in and around El Centro-Lions Park (320 East Erna Avenue, APN 988-083-01), plus a parade along La Habra Boulevard from 900 West La Habra Boulevard to 347 East La Habra Boulevard, continuing along Cypress Street from 347 East La Habra Boulevard to 320 East Erna Avenue. Staff finds the event categorically exempt from CEQA and recommends adopting Resolution No. 26-10 approving the permit. Public Hearing 1
- The event's dates aren't stated on this agenda, but a related Special Events Agreement on the City Council's July 20 agenda sets the Corn Festival and Parade for August 21–23, 2026.
🏘️ Development
- 5 for-sale condos at 431 West Lambert Road: the commission will consider Tentative Tract Map No. 19436 (TTM26-0001), a single-lot subdivision for condominium purposes that would allow a total of five for-sale residential units at 431 West Lambert Road (APN 298-091-38). The site was previously approved as a five-unit apartment complex; this request converts the units to for-sale condos without any physical modifications or intensification of use, which staff says keeps the project exempt from CEQA. Staff recommends adopting Resolution No. 26-11 approving the map. Public Hearing 2
🪑 Also on the agenda
- Approval of the Planning Commission meeting minutes of June 8, 2026. Consent Item 1
Council Brief summaries are produced from official public records by our automated newsroom and reviewed before publication. Items are described as posted; the commission may amend or continue items at the meeting. Spot an error? hello@councilbrief.com — we publish corrections.
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