The meeting had discussions of temporary and conditional use permits
By PIPER AWEEKA — city@theaggie.org
On Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., the city of Davis Planning Commission held its bimonthly meeting at the Community Chambers to discuss two scheduled public hearings.
In the first hearing, the Co-Chair of the Interfaith Housing Justice Davis, Ellen Kolarik, advocated for the commission’s acknowledgment of her organization’s equitable housing development initiative.
“Our approach is principle-based,” Kolarik said. “We strive to shape a future where housing is accessible, sustainable and just for all members of our community.”
Thomas McNairn, an associate planner for the city of Davis, introduced the first of the two public hearings of the evening: a proposed conditional use permit (CUP) at a multi-tenant warehouse.
“The proposed uses within this space are primarily a climbing gym and a bouldering gym,” McNairn said. “The space will also offer climbing areas for kids, cardio and weight training activities, as well as a snack bar with items available for purchase for members. Staff finds that the proposed use is compliant with the zoning and compliant with the surrounding uses. […] We recommend that the Planning Commission approve of the resolution that will allow the bouldering field.”
With similar statements from her colleagues, Commission Member Georgina Valencia stated her acceptance and approval of the proposed CUP.
“I think the economics of having another business in our community is a good one,” Valencia said. “Something that’s orientated around health and fitness seems good also.”
After a unanimous vote approving the CUP, the commission went on to address the other item of concern.
The second public hearing was dedicated to 1123 Olive Dr., where two food trailers have been operating as accessories to Davis’ Volt Coffee shop. McNairn shared that because the prior temporary use permit (TUP) had expired as of February, the applicant has applied for an additional TUP and CUP.
In his coverage of the proposal, McNairn stated the lack of Volt’s compliance with the terms of their past TUP and CUP, one concern being an expired health permit for one of the operating food trucks.
“A temporary use permit is arguable that it can turn into a property right and so out of an abundance of caution, [the] staff is recommending that you revoke the temporary use permit,” McNairn said. “Based on the non-compliance of the temporary use permit, [staff] cannot recommend that the Planning Commission approve of the conditional use permit. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission revoke the temporary use permit for the two trailers […] and also deny the conditional use permit for those two trailers, as well.”
Robert Salazar, the applicant and one of the owners of Volt, voiced his perspective.
“Like any new business, we had a learning curve during the first 12 months of operations,” Salazar said. “We believe we’ve remedied all the situations and issues. […] We respectfully request an extension or approval to get this finalized and past us so we can focus on Volt. We’re not perfect, we’re new to this.”
Following the Planning Commission’s discussion of Volt, the meeting allowed public comment on the issue. After a slew of supportive testimonies from contractors and employees at Volt, commissioners deliberated on the conditions in which the approval of the permits could be granted. With no clear consensus being agreed upon, Commission Member Vince McLaughlin stated his motion for a two-week extension of the hearing.
“I don’t want to wait six months for this,” McLaughlin said. “I was thinking of something like 30 days to sign the development agreement, 120 days to complete the work unless there are delays attributable to city processing, then the TUP would be revoked and the CUP would be denied. I’m inclined to vote in favor of rolling it over to [the] next meeting to see if they can make a concrete proposal. […] I move to continue this matter until our next planning commission meeting for further direction from staff and deliberation by the commission.”
With all commission members voting in favor of McLaughlin’s motion, deliberation on the 1123 Olive Dr. proposal will continue at the next Planning Commission meeting on March 12. More information on the Planning Commission and future meetings can be found on the city of Davis’ website.
Written by Piper Aweeka — city@theaggie.org
