Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Historic Preservation Commission Comments and Project Revisions (Spa Addition)

• Staff summarized HPC recommendations to preserve courtyard character using hybrid barriers like hedges or transparent fencing.
• The applicant presented revised designs featuring a five-foot wrought iron gate and pipe cacti to maintain visual permeability.
• Commissioners agreed to forward the HPC comments and revised elevations to the City Council for final determination.

Parking and Shared Parking Agreement

• Discussion centered on the necessity of a formal agreement to secure shared parking between the spa and the adjacent El Roblar Hotel.
• The commission determined that a recorded shared parking agreement is required to ensure the arrangement remains binding long-term.
• A condition of approval was added mandating a concise agreement approved by the City Attorney and recorded against both properties.

Future Agenda Items

• Staff is finalizing a redline document for the Tree Ordinance Review incorporating feedback from community workshops.
• The 824 Foothill Lane item requires joint review of a tree permit and zone clearance despite the ministerial nature of the zone clearance.

Director's Report

• The Traffic/Circulation Element of the General Plan Update is in final review and will be presented in redline format.
• An appeal regarding a previous liquor license application has been received and will be forwarded to the City Council.
• The Design Standards Subcommittee is re-engaging following a summer hiatus.

Closed Session

• No closed session report was provided in the meeting summary.

Planning Commission Meeting Summary – August 19, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

• The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A roll call confirmed the presence of Chair Murphy, Commissioner Stewart, Commissioner Hanson, and Commissioner Rice-Schmidt. Vice Chair Chesley was absent.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar included the minutes from the July 15 regular meeting and a disclosure of site visits and ex parte contacts. No corrections or additions were requested regarding the minutes. Staff and commissioners reported no ex parte contacts, though some noted driving around the area. The minutes were approved as presented.

Historic Preservation Commission Comments and Project Revisions (Spa Addition)

• Staff presented a summary of comments received from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) regarding a proposed spa addition, specifically focusing on the historic resources report. The HPC comments primarily addressed the courtyard area, with recommendations ranging from closing it off to preserving its character with minimal impact. Suggestions included a hybrid approach using hedges or transparent fencing, with heights varying between three and six feet.
• The applicant presented revised design elevations in response to HPC feedback. The proposal included a five-foot wrought iron gate and landscaping featuring pipe cacti intended to function as a visual barrier while maintaining transparency. The applicant noted that the plants are slow-growing and could be pruned to maintain height and density.
• Commissioners discussed the design, with some expressing concern that the proposed landscaping might appear too solid or block views of the courtyard. The applicant indicated willingness to adjust the design to ensure it remains visually pervious and integrated with the landscape. The commission agreed to forward the HPC comments and the applicant's revised design elevations to the City Council for final determination.

Parking and Shared Parking Agreement

• A significant portion of the discussion focused on parking requirements and the relationship between the proposed spa and the adjacent El Roblar Hotel. Staff analysis indicated that treating the spa as a standalone use would require a high number of parking spaces under current code, but the project relies on shared parking with the hotel.
• Commissioners debated whether a formal, recorded shared parking agreement between the two properties was necessary to protect the City's interest, given that the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) currently applies only to the spa property and does not explicitly name the hotel. Some commissioners argued that a written agreement was required to ensure the parking arrangement remained binding if ownership or operations changed in the future. The applicant and staff suggested that the existing CUP conditions and a recorded Notice of Land Use Entitlement might be sufficient, as the CUP already mandates that the spa operate in conjunction with the hotel.
• Ultimately, the commission determined that a shared parking agreement was necessary to formally link the two properties and secure the parking arrangement long-term. It was agreed that the agreement should be concise, approved by the City Attorney, and recorded against the properties.

Motion and Vote

• A motion was made to: 1. Accept the Historic Preservation Commission comments and the applicant's revised design elevations. 2. Forward these items to the City Council. 3. Add a condition of approval requiring a shared parking agreement between the spa property and the El Roblar Hotel, with the form of the agreement to be approved by the City Attorney.
• The motion was seconded. Following discussion, the motion was put to a vote and passed.

Future Agenda Items

• Staff provided updates on two upcoming items: 1. Tree Ordinance Review: Staff is preparing a redline document incorporating feedback from community workshops and council members. A landing page and FAQ are also being finalized. 2. 824 Foothill Lane: This item involves a tree permit for the removal of more than five trees and a zone clearance for a single-story home. Staff noted that while the zone clearance is typically ministerial, the code requires these applications to be reviewed together as a complete project. A commissioner questioned whether the ministerial portion should be separated, but staff indicated the code provision requires joint review.

Director's Report

• The Planning Director reported on the following:
• Goals and Tactics: A special City Council meeting recently discussed goals and tactics related to the General Plan, CDD, and Public Works.
• Cellular Tower: A cellular tower is being constructed at Fire Station 21 on county property. The Planning Department became aware of the project when an inspection was requested without a permit application. The item was discussed at the Council meeting.
• General Plan Update: The Traffic/Circulation Element is in final review and will be presented in redline format.
• Design Standards Subcommittee: The committee is re-engaging after a summer hiatus.
• Appeal: Staff noted that an appeal regarding a previous item (approval to apply for a different liquor license) has been received from neighbors and will be forwarded to the City Council.

Commissioner and City Liaison Reports

• Commissioners provided brief updates on upcoming meetings. The City Liaison thanked the commission for their thorough discussion on balancing commercial and residential uses at the previous meeting.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.