HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_3_24_2026_Public Comment Received by Email
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Public Comment Received by Email3/24/26
City Council Meeting Item G1
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Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1
From:Sarah Cawelti <>
Sent:Tuesday, March 24, 2026 3:31 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:City Council meeting 3/24
ATTENTION:
This email originated from outside the City's network. Use cau on when opening links and a achments.
I am wri ng to say I oppose adding any more drive thrus to the city. They add pollu on and I have not seen the
businesses pay to off set the damage they do to our city. To this end we don’t need more car washes especially if they
are using g water resources.
Thank you,
Sarah Cawel
Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1
Alyssa Slater
From:Jeremiah l <>
Sent:Tuesday, March 24, 2026 5:05 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Chik-fil-a
ATTENTION:
This email originated from outside the City's network. Use cauƟon when opening links and aƩachments.
Just wanted to share some comments on this proposed drive-through Chick-fil-A restaurant well I would support a Chick-
fil-A bean in Atascadero. I feel that locaƟon spot will cause way more traffic at the Home Depot on ramp every day at 4
o’clock to 6 PM. Traffic is horrendous and almost to a dead stop. Chik-fil-a. Would just make it worse. Why can’t we put it
where Wendy’s is? They are closing. There are vacant buildings all over town. Why construct a whole new building?
Sent from my iPhone
Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1
From:Max Zappas <max@zvillages.com>
Sent:Tuesday, March 24, 2026 9:36 AM
To:City Clerk; Phil Dunsmore; Kelly Gleason; Erick Gomez; Charles Bourbeau; Jim Lewis;
Sydney ZVillage; William Sima
Subject:City Council Hearing 3.24.26
Dear Atascadero City Council and Community Development Department,
I am writing to express my support for incorporating greater flexibility into the City’s updated zoning
standards—particularly in mixed use zones which is in front of you again this evening.
Minimum setback requirements are a restrictive and outdated approach that do not meaningfully benefit
modern property development, especially in mixed-use and multifamily zones. These areas are intended
to be walkable, active, and appropriately scaled, and rigid setbacks often work against those goals. They
are also meant to be near commercial areas to reduce greenhouse gases and support businesses.
Flexibility in building placement allows projects to better respond to real-world conditions, improve
street activation, and support viable commercial spaces.
If commercial uses are required, they must also be feasible. Commercial viability ultimately depends on
the ability of business owners and developers to design spaces that meet market demand. The same
principle applies to land uses more broadly—overly prescriptive zoning can prevent projects from
penciling, which in turn limits redevelopment, job creation, and tax base growth.
If the City’s goal is to strengthen its commercial hubs, the most effective strategy is to enable
redevelopment and increase nearby residential density. As population and foot traffic grow, commercial
demand follows. Over time, this success expands outward organically. We are already seeing this
pattern in nearby communities, where commercial uses are moving into former residential areas.
Atascadero has the opportunity to plan ahead by allowing flexible, well-designed mixed use buildings
that can accommodate that future growth.
Conversely, requiring too much commercial space too early risks creating vacancies, weakening existing
hubs, and putting downward pressure on rents.
In short, flexibility—both in setbacks and allowed uses—is essential to fostering successful, adaptable,
and economically resilient development. Allow residential uses on ground floors throughout all mixed
use zones and create a maximum setback rather than a minimum setback in all zones.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
--
Max Zappas
Z Villages Real Estate
max@zvillages.com
(805) 674-4743
DRE #01997012
zvillages.com
6100 El Camino Real Suite B Atascadero, CA 93422
Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item H1
1
From:William Sima <>
Sent:Tuesday, March 24, 2026 10:32 AM
To:City Clerk; Phil Dunsmore; Kelly Gleason; Erick Gomez; Charles Bourbeau; Jim Lewis;
Sydney ZVillage; Max ZVillage
Subject:Re: City Council Hearing 3.24.26
ATTENTION:
This email originated from outside the City's network. Use caution when opening links and attachments.
Dear Mayor and Members of the Atascadero City Council,
I would like to express my support for incorporating greater flexibility into the City’s zoning standards,
particularly within the mixed-use zones being discussed as mentioned by Max
In practice, rigid setback requirements can make mixed-use projects unnecessarily difficult to design.
Sites vary widely, and allowing flexibility in building placement helps architects and developers create
projects that fit the lot, activate the street, and make better use of the property. A maximum setback
standard often achieves the intended urban design goal while still allowing projects to be designed
thoughtfully.
I also believe it is important to recognize how much commercial demand has changed. Many
traditional brick-and-mortar businesses are shrinking their physical footprints as online commerce,
automation, and AI continue to reshape how companies operate. Requiring large amounts of
commercial space in new developments can unintentionally lead to long-term vacancies if the market
is not there to support it.
From a development standpoint, projects ultimately need to be financially feasible in order to move
forward. When zoning becomes too prescriptive, it can prevent projects from meeting budget, which
delays redevelopment and limits the addition of much-needed housing.
In many successful communities, commercial areas grow naturally as residential density increases
nearby. When more people live within walking distance, restaurants, shops, and services follow.
Allowing flexibility in mixed-use zones supports this type of organic growth rather than forcing
commercial space before the market exists.
For these reasons, I encourage the City to allow residential uses on the ground floor within mixed-use
zones and to consider replacing minimum setback requirements with maximum setbacks that
encourage buildings to engage the street while still allowing good project design.
Thoughtful flexibility in zoning will make it easier for property owners to reinvest in their properties and
will help Atascadero grow in a way that is economically sustainable and responsive to changing
market conditions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
William F. Sima
Public Comment Received by Email
3/24/26
City Council Meeting
Item H1