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CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
HOW TO OBSERVE THE MEETING:
Interested individuals may attend the meeting in-person at Atascadero City Hall. To observe
remotely, the meeting may be livestreamed on Zoom. The video recording of the meeting will be
available through the City’s website and on the City’s YouTube Channel. To observe remotely
using the Zoom platform please visit:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81712225756
HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment may be provided in-person.
Written public comments are accepted at drc-comments@atascadero.org. Comments should
identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of the email. Such comments will
be forwarded to the Design Review Committee and made a part of the administrative record.
To ensure distribution to the Design Review Committee before consideration of an
item, please submit comments not later than 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting. All
correspondence will be distributed to the Design Review Committee, posted on the City’s
website, and be made part of the official public record of the meeting. Please note,
comments will not be read into the record. Please be aware that communications sent
to the Design Review Committee are public records and are subject to disclosure pursuant
to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under
applicable law. Communications will not be edited for redactions and will be printed/posted
as submitted.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ACCOMMODATIONS:
Any member of the public who needs accommodations should contact the City Clerk’s Office
at cityclerk@atascadero.org or by calling 805-470-3400 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting
or time when services are needed. The City will use their best efforts to provide reasonable
accommodations to afford as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public
safety in accordance with the City procedure for resolving reasonable accommodation
requests.
Design Review Committee Agendas, Minutes and Staff Reports may be viewed on the City's
website:
www.atascadero.org/agendas
Copies of the staff reports or other documentation relating to each item of business referred to on the Agenda
are on file in the Community Development Department and are available for public inspection on our website,
www.atascadero.org. All documents submitted by the public during Design Review Committee meetings that
are made a part of the record or referred to in their statement will be noted in the Minutes and available for
review by contacting the Community Development Department. All documents will be available for public
inspection by appointment during City Hall business hours.
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CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA
Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 7, 2025
2:00 P.M.
City Hall
6500 Palma Avenue, Room 306
Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL:
Chairperson Susan Funk
Committee Member Greg Heath
Committee Member Emily Baranek
Committee Member Seth Peek
Committee Member Eric Pennachio
PUBLIC COMMENT
(This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Design
Review Committee on any matter not on this agenda and over which the
Committee has jurisdiction. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Please state
your name for the record before making your presentation. The Committee may
take action to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda.)
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
A. Election of Vice Chairperson
CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and non-
controversial by City staff and will be approved by one motion if no member of the
Committee or public wishes to comment or ask questions.)
1. Design Review Committee – Minutes – December 12, 2024 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Committee approve the December 12, 2024 DRC Meeting
minutes.
City of Atascadero Design Review Committee Agenda Regular Meeting
August 7, 2025 Page 2 of 2
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DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. 8035 SANTA ROSA ROAD
The proposed project is an exception to the front setback for a fence and shade
structure on APN 031-381-061.
Recommendation: Staff recommends the DRC approve the requested exception. (PRE25-0052)
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
(On their own initiative, Committee Members may make a brief announcement or a brief
report on their own activities.)
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Director will give an oral report on any current issues of concern to the Design
Review Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
The next DRC meeting will be announced.
DRC Draft Minutes of 12/12/2024
Page 1 of 4
ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 8-7-25
x
CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
DRAFT MINUTES
Regular Meeting – Thursday, December 12, 2024 – 2:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 306 (and virtual)
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422
CALL TO ORDER – 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson Funk called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Susan Funk
Vice Chairperson Mark Dariz
Committee Member Emily Baranek
Committee Member Jeff van den Eikhof
Committee Member Dennis Schmidt
Absent: None
Staff Present: Community Development Director, Phil Dunsmore
Associate Planner, Erick Gomez
Public Works Director, Nick Debar
Recording Secretary, Annette Manier
Building Permit Technician, Elle Lindmeier
Amelia Aarestad, Planning Intern
Others Present: Stephen Peterson, Flowers & Associates, Inc.
Olivia Marr of Fauver, Large, Archbald, & Spray LLP
Eddie Herrera and Enrique Cervantes, EHD Studio Inc.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Dariz and seconded by
Committee Member van den Eikhof to approve the
Agenda.
Motion Passed 5:0 by a roll call vote
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Chairperson Funk closed the Public Comment period.
1
DRC Draft Minutes of 12/12/2024
Page 2 of 4
ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 8-7-25
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 15, 2024 DRAFT MINUTES
MOTION: By Committee Member Schmidt and seconded by
Vice Chairperson Dariz to approve the Consent
Calendar.
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll call vote.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. 4990 TRAFFIC WAY
The proposed project is a review of equipment rental, sales and repair in the existing
structure, and commercial storage of cars, trucks, boats, RVs, construction
equipment and materials in outdoor areas on APN 028-102-002.
Recommendation: Staff requests the DRC review and make design
recommendations for the proposed project. (USE24-0029)
EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
Chairperson Funk and Committee Member Schmidt spoke with Stephen Peterson.
Director Dunsmore gave an overview of the project and Planner Gomez provided the staff
report. Stephen Peterson provided a presentation (Exhibit A), and he and Olivia Marr
answered questions from the Committee. Director Dunsmore, Director Debar, and
Planner Gomez answered questions from the Committee.
Vice Chairperson Dariz left the meeting at 3:06 p.m.
MOTION: By Committee Member Baranek and seconded by
Committee Member van den Eikhof to move the
project forward to the Planning Commission with
conditions as recommended by staff, with the
following recommendations:
• Remove barbwire, replace fence with vinyl
slats.
• Endorse the site plan design and the
applicant’s cross section 3’ with dg walkway
with vinyl fence landscape planter on the
new site plan that goes to the vehicle staging
area, less circular driveways (not
hammerhead).
• Encourage the applicant to work with staff
on plants that will survive, use of Chinese
2
DRC Draft Minutes of 12/12/2024
Page 3 of 4
ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 8-7-25
Pistache is desirable, and provide some
screening.
Motion passed 4:0 by a roll call vote.
(Dariz absent)
Chairperson Funk recessed the meeting at 3:31 p.m. for a break.
Chairperson Funk reconvened the meeting at 3:39 p.m. with all present, except for
Vice Chairperson Dariz.
3. CENTENNIAL PLAZA (5901 EAST MALL)
The proposed project is a review of an approximately 24,500 SF Mixed-Use
Development at Centennial Plaza with ground floor commercial/restaurant uses
and upper floor event space, office, and residential units on APN 029-347-020.
Recommendation: Staff requests the DRC review and make design
recommendations for the proposed project. (DEV24-0099)
Director Dunsmore introduced the project and Planner Gomez provided the staff report.
Eddie Herrera presented the project. Director Dunsmore, Planner Gomez and Eddie
Herrera answered questions from the Committee.
MOTION: By Committee Member Baranek and seconded by
Committee Member Schmidt to approve the project
with conditions and recommendations as listed on
the DRC Action Form (Exhibit B) of the staff report,
as recommended by staff.
Motion passed 4:0 by a roll call vote.
(Dariz absent)
This project will move forward to City Council for the disposition and development
agreement for final authorization.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Committee Member van den Eikhof reported that he will be stepping down from the DRC
and Planning Commission at the end of the year.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Director Dunsmore gave an update on projects in the City.
ADJOURNMENT– 4:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the DRC will be announced.
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DRC Draft Minutes of 12/12/2024
Page 4 of 4
ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 8-7-25
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
_________________________________________________
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
Administrative Assistant
The following exhibit is available in the Community Development Dept.
Exhibit A – Presentation from Flowers and Associates
Exhibit B – DRC Action Form
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CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
STAFF REPORT
Item 2
TO: Phil Dunsmore, Community Development Director
FROM: Kelly Gleason, Planning Manager
PREPARED BY: Will Daniels, Assistant Planner
MEETING DATE: 8/07/2025
SUBJECT: Setback Exception for 8035 Santa Rosa Road
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that the DRC approve the request for an exception (PRE25-0052) to the
setback and fencing requirements on a single-family property to permit an existing shade
structure and fence located within the front setback at 8035 Santa Rosa Road (APN 031-381-061),
based on findings and subject to conditions of approval.
DISCUSSION:
PROJECT SUMMARY
The applicant, Kahlil Hamman, is requesting an exemption from front setback requirements to
allow an existing 10-foot-tall shade structure and six-foot-tall solid wood fence within the
required 25-foot front setback at 8035 Santa Rosa Road (APN 031-381-061). The subject property
is in the RSF-X (Residential Single-Family – ½ Acre) Zone and has primary frontage on Santa Rosa
Road.
BACKGROUND
A code enforcement case was opened in June 2025 for unpermitted interior work to the existing
residence. The subsequent building permit application to resolve the code enforcement
complaint included permitting an existing shade structure and fence. The existing structure was
found to be within the front setback, and the existing fence exceeded the 4-foot height limit
allowed for the zone. The Atascadero Municipal Code (AMC) authorizes the Design Review
Committee (DRC) to approve fencing and setback modifications, subject to the criteria discussed
below.
SHADE STRUCTURE LOCATION AND DESIGN
The Design Review Committee (DRC) may grant an exemption to the primary street setback
requirement for structures that meet the following criteria:
• The structure is no taller than 10 feet,
• The structure does not cover more than 50% of the setback area, and
• The structure does not obstruct vehicular sight distances.
The existing shade structure is 10 feet tall and approximately 160 square feet in size (5.5% of the
required setback area). It encroaches 13 feet into the required 25-foot front setback. The
34
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
structure has minimal visual impact from the street due to the depressed elevation of the lot.
The structure features a dark corrugated polycarbonate roof and black metal framing. These
materials are consistent with the architectural accents on the primary residence and detached
garage. The design and materials are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and do not
detract from its character or aesthetics. The structure does not appear out of scale relative to
nearby development and is not prominently visible from the street. The City Engineer has
reviewed the structure and confirmed there are no concerns related to sight distance.
FENCE LOCATION AND DESIGN
The subject property is located below the grade of Santa Rosa Road. In the RSF-X zone, fencing
within the required street setback may be up to four feet in height. Fences must not obstruct
vehicle sight lines or pose risks to public health or safety. The existing six-foot-tall solid wood
fence extends approximately 38 feet along the southeastern portion of the frontage. This fence
provides both privacy and safety for a below-grade pool area.
The Design Review Committee (DRC) may permit fencing up to six feet in height within street-
adjacent setbacks if:
• The fencing is compatible with neighborhood character, and
• The fence does not obstruct vehicle sight lines.
There are similarly styled fences with comparable levels of transparency on both sides of Santa
Rosa Road. The portion of the road fronting the property is relatively straight, and the fence is
set back in alignment with the neighbor’s fence. The City Engineer has confirmed there are no
concerns regarding sight distance.
DRC DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Fence height
2. Neighborhood compatibility
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: DRC Action Form
Exhibit A: Aerial and Site Photos
35
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
Attachment 1: DRC Action Form
PRE25-0052
City of Atascadero
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DRC ACTION FORM
Project: PRE25-0052
Project Title: Setback Exception for 8035 Santa Rosa
Planner/ Project Manager: Will Daniels
DRC Review Date(s): 8/07/2025
FINAL ACTION: ☒ DRC ☐ PC ☐ CC
REQUIRED FINDINGS:
1. Fence Height Modification Finding. The existing fence is consistent with the neighborhood
character and does not impair site distance for vehicular traffic.
FACT: Fences of similar design and transparency exist on both sides of Santa Rosa Road.
The segment of roadway fronting the subject property is relatively straight, and the
proposed fence is set back in line with the adjacent neighbor’s fence. The City Engineer
has reviewed the fence and has no concerns regarding sight distance.
2. Setback Modification Finding. The structure proposed in the setback is: no greater than
10 feet in height; does not exceed primary street setback area coverage of more than
50%; and does not impair sight distances for vehicular traffic as reviewed by the City
Engineer.
FACT: The existing shade structure is 10 feet in height and approximately 160 square feet
in area, it occupies roughly 5.5% of the required front setback. It encroaches 13 feet into
the 25-foot front setback. Due to the lower elevation of the lot, the structure has a
minimal visual presence from the street. The City Engineer has reviewed the structure
and confirmed there are no sight distance concerns.
36
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
CONDITIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Approval of Setback Exception for 8035 Santa Rosa (PRE25-0052) allows for an
approximately 160 square foot shade structure and six-foot-tall solid wood fence within
the required front setback, per the attached exhibits. The approval of this entitlement
runs with the land, regardless of the owner.
2. The approval of this entitlement shall become final and effective for the purposes of
processing a building permit (14) days after DRC approval unless an appeal is made in
accordance with the Atascadero Municipal Code.
3. Approval of this entitlement shall be valid for twelve (12) months after its effective date.
At the end of the period, the approval shall expire and become null and void unless the
project has received building permits or a time extension consistent with the Atascadero
Municipal Code.
4. The Community Development Department shall have the authority to approve the
following minor changes to the project that (1) modify the project by less than 10%,
and/or (2) result in a superior site design or appearance.
5. The Applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Atascadero or its
agents, officers, and employees against any claim or action brought to challenge an
approval by the City, or any of its entities, concerning this Lot Line Adjustment.
6. The fence shall not be moved to another location within the front setback without City
approval.
7. Maximum fence height shall not exceed six feet for the portion of the fence granted the
exception. All other fencing shall comply with Atascadero Municipal Code standards.
8. All street frontage fences shall be maintained in good order. Required repairs shall be
made to the fences in a timely order.
9. Should it be determined by the City Engineer at a later date that there are sight-distance
issues or other safety concerns due to changes in the road or adjacent property
development, the fencing shall be removed or lowered to comply with Municipal Code
standards to an extent that resolves the safety concern.
37
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
EXHIBIT A: Aerial and Site Photos
PRE25-0052
Site Plan
Existing 6ft solid
wood fence
38
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
Existing 6ft Fence
Existing Shade Structure
Existing 6ft solid
wood fence
Existing Shade
Structure
39
8/07/2025 | Item 2 | Staff Report
Shade Structure
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