February 18, 2026 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Meeting Summary

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Staff proposed replacing approved rock cladding with stucco due to a structural beam discovery.
Commissioners verified construction status and confirmed lighting addressed prior concerns.
The commission adopted a resolution approving the amendment to DRP 25-005.
A courtesy condition requested the applicant consider more period-appropriate lighting.

The project involves remodeling for retail and cafe use with modified parking.
Discussion focused on shared parking math, street safety, and exterior design details.
Approval includes a condition requiring the applicant to return for schedule reviews.
The resolution approving DRP 25-007 and CUP 25-003 passed.

The request changes zoning from Business Professional to General Commercial.
Commissioners discussed General Plan alignment and existing code compliance issues.
A motion condition requires outdoor storage removal or a future permit review.
The resolution recommending the zone change was adopted.

Date: February 18 Presiding Officer: Chair Murphy Roll Call: Chair Murphy, Vice-Chair Chesley, Commissioner Rice-Schmidt, Commissioner Stewart. One vacancy.

Discussion: A request was made to remove Item 6 (Brown Act training) from the current agenda and reschedule it for the next available meeting.
Action: A motion was made to eliminate and postpone the item.
Decision: Motion seconded. Vote passed.

Discussion: The minutes of the regular meeting held on January 21, 2026, were reviewed. No changes were requested.
Action: A motion was made to approve the minutes.
Decision: Motion seconded. Vote passed.

Discussion: Commissioners disclosed ex parte contacts and site visits related to the agenda items. Most commissioners visited the sites for Items 2, 3, 4, and 5 and reported no ex parte contacts.
Recusal: Commissioner Chesley recused himself from Item 2, stating he was the tenant of the site in question.

Subject: Request for an amendment to a previously approved design review permit (DRP 25-005) for a historic building.
Proposal: Staff reported that during construction, contractors discovered a structural beam where rock cladding was originally approved. The amendment requests replacing the rock with stucco to preserve structural integrity and adding exterior wall sconces. The Historic Preservation Commission had unanimously approved the amendment.
Discussion: Commissioners inquired about the completion status of the work and the historical style of the lighting. The applicant and architect confirmed work was substantially complete and that the lighting had been reinstalled to address previous Historic Preservation Commission concerns.
Action: A motion was made to adopt a resolution approving the amendment to DRP 25-005. An amendment was proposed to request the applicant consider more period-appropriate lighting as a courtesy to the community.
Decision: The proposal regarding lighting was seconded. The main motion to approve the permit amendment was voted on and passed.

Subject: Request for a design review permit (DRP 25-007) and minor conditional use permit (CUP 25-003) to change use from single-use business/administrative offices to retail, restaurant, and outdoor dining.
Proposal: The project involves remodeling the first floor for retail and cafe use, installing a glass curtain wall, and modifying the parking lot to accommodate 18 spaces (16 required) under shared use parking standards. Outdoor dining would occur on private property.
Discussion: Public comment addressed parking sufficiency and street safety. Commissioners discussed the shared parking math, door and window schedule details, safety visibility at the intersection, landscaping native plant usage, and exterior paint color. The applicant agreed to address landscaping concerns and return for review of door and window schedules.
Action: A motion was made to adopt the resolution approving DRP 25-007 and CUP 25-003.
Condition: The motion included a condition requiring the applicant to return to the Community Development Director and Commissioner Chesley to review window and door schedules.
Decision: Motion seconded. Vote passed.

Subject: Request for a zone change from Business Professional (BP) to General Commercial (C1) for 1124 Maricopa Highway.
Proposal: The change is requested to allow the sale of alcohol and to bring the existing convenience store into conformity with the zone designation, as both uses are permitted in C1 but not BP.
Discussion: The applicant noted the site has been a gas station since 1962. Public comment questioned the rationale of using competition as a basis for zoning changes versus zoning consistency. Commissioners discussed General Plan alignment, the rarity of the BP zone in the corridor, and existing code compliance issues regarding outdoor storage and ramps on the site. Staff noted code compliance is handled through a proactive compliance process separate from the zone change recommendation.
Action: A motion was made to pass the resolution recommending the zone change.
Condition: The motion included a condition addressing outdoor storage: if the applicant wishes to continue outdoor storage, they must return for a Conditional Use Permit review; otherwise, the storage must be removed.
Decision: Motion seconded. Vote passed.