HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of ActionCITY OF ATASCADERO
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Final Action Report ITEM # 1
FROM: Sam Mountain, Assistant Planner MEETING DATE: May 31, 2023
FILE NUMBER: USE23-0044
PROJECT ADDRESS: 8965 EI Camino Real
SITUATION:
The applicant, Joshua Berg, is proposing to use a commercial tenant space at 8965 EI
Camino Real as a Wholesaling and Distribution Center. The property would be used for
Beautiful Feet Books, an e-commerce business which designs, sells, and distributes
homeschooling curriculum for K-12 students by mail. The business employs 14 people,
with 11 employees working on-site and 3 fully remote. In a supplemental letter to Planning
staff, Mr. Berg elaborated that the business ships and receives books via FedEx, UPS,
and USPS, and that the majority of deliveries would take place between 2pm and 4pm.
The business does not engage in any manufacturing, printing, or other industrial
practices. The business is currently headquartered in San Luis Obispo.
EVALUATION:
The property is designated as Commercial Retail (CR) in the City's Zoning Map. This
zoning designation is generally oriented towards on-site sales and office uses by -right,
but does allow other uses conditioned upon discretionary approval. Per Atascadero
Municipal Code 9-3.330, Wholesaling and Distribution Centers are allowed in the
Commercial Retail zone with the approval of an Administrative Use Permit.
Approximately 10,000 square feet of space on the property would be utilized for
Warehousing and Distribution purposes. A.M.C. 9-4.330 (c)(11) requires 1 parking space
per 1,000 square feet of use area for the first 10,000 square feet, and 1 per 5,000 square
feet of use area thereafter. Thus, this use requires a minimum of 10 off-street parking
spaces. Aerial photography from early 2023 shows an estimated 19 parking spaces on
the subject property, fulfilling this requirement.
The applicant plans to handle loading and unloading using an alleyway loading zone on
the eastern side of the subject property. According to communication with the applicant,
this area is shared between the subject property and an adjacent property. Due to the
infrequent planned delivery schedule, the applicant does not foresee any issues with this
shared use.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Administrative Hearing Officer approve USE23-0044 and allow a
Wholesaling and Distribution Center in this tenant space in the Commercial Retail zoning
district with conditions.
Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
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Categorical Exemption CEQA — Guidelines Section 15301
Statutory Exemption §§ 21000, et seq &
No Project — Ministerial Project
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt (Class 1) from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et
seq., "CEQA") and CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000,
et seq.) pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations § 15301, because the project
is limited to a change of use which would be permitted in an equally restrictive zoning
district and which involves a negligible expansion of use.
Findings
AMC 9-1.112 (d) requires the Hearing Officer to make the following findings:
1. Modification of the applicable standard will not result in a project that is inconsistent
with the General Plan,-
The
lan;
The proposed Wholesaling and Distribution Center use at this location is consistent with
the General Commercial designation of the General Plan. Additionally, it follows the
General Plan Land Use, Open Space and Circulation (LOC) Element Goals 3
("[t]ransform the existing El Camino Real "strip" into a distinctive, attractive and efficient
commercial, office and industrial park area which can provide for the long-term economic
viability of the community"), 13 ("[p]rovide for a sound economic base to sustain the City's
unique character by establishing a range of employment and business opportunities and
generate sufficient revenue to support adequate levels of public services, and
environmental, social and educational quality"), and 14 ("[r]etain and expand existing
businesses and attract new businesses to improve the availability of goods and
services.") The proposed use will bolster the economic vitality of the City by engaging an
underutilized space and attracting a new business to the area that will pay local sales
taxes.
2. Modification of the applicable standard will not result in a project that is inconsistent
with the character of the immediate neighborhood or contrary to its orderly
development;
The new use would be located in an existing commercial center with other warehousing,
commercial, and light industrial uses nearby. With a limited delivery schedule, the use
would have a negligible impact to the development of the surrounding area.
3. Modification of the applicable standard will not result in a project that is not in
compliance with any pertinent City policy or criteria adopted by ordinance or
resolution of the City Council;
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The Atascadero Municipal Code allows Wholesaling and Distributions Centers in the
Commercial Retail zone with approval from the Administrative Hearing Officer.
4. Modification of the applicable standard will not result in the authorization of a use
not otherwise allowed; and
This Administrative Use Permit only allows a Wholesaling and Distribution Center.
5. Any other findings deemed necessary.
No other findings.
Conditions
1. Wholesaling and Distribution operations shall conform to minimum parking
requirements established in A.M.C. 9-4.118 (c)(11).
2. Applicant shall obtain all necessary permits prior to the installation of any signage,
additions, or renovations.
Code Requirements
1. A.M.C. 9-1.112 Administrative Use Permit
2. A.M.C. 9-3.330 Nonresidential District Allowable Uses
3. A.M.C. 9-4.118 Required Number of Parking Spaces
Attachments
Attachment 1
- Location Map
Attachment 2
- Zoning Map
Attachment 3
- Site Photos
Action:
Q Approve
❑ Approve as modified
❑ Deny
• Continue to: to allow
❑ Continue indefinitely to allow:
Phil Dunsmore, Hearing Officer
Attachment 1: Location Map
USE23-0044
Attachment 3: Site Photos
USE23-0044
Front entrance, from EI Camino Real, facing north
Front entrance, from La Linia Avenue, facing northwest
Loading zone from La Linia Avenue facing northwest