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CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 5, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, Fourth Floor
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
_____________________________________________________________________
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Ferrell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. ROLL CALL
Chairperson Anderson
Vice Chairperson Pennachio
Commissioner Ferrell
Commissioner Heath
Commissioner Jones
Commissioner Keen
Commissioner O'Malley
Present: Chairperson Anderson, Vice Chairperson Pennachio, Commissioners
Ferrell, Heath, Jones, Keen
Absent: O’Malley
Staff Present: Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, Planning
Manager Kelly Gleason, Recording Secretary Crystal Horn, Associate Planner
Erick Gomez
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Anderson opened the Public Comment period.
The following person spoke on this item: Heather Howell, Atascadero resident
Commissioners Pennachio, Keen, Jones, Anderson commented as did
Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore
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Chairperson Anderson closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION BY: Commissioner Jones
SECOND BY: Vice Chairperson Pennachio
Commission requested Staff provide information regarding process for how parks
and sidewalks come about in a future meeting.
MOTION BY: Commissioner Jones
SECOND BY: Commissioner Ferrell
AYES (6): Chairperson Anderson, Vice Chairperson Pennachio,
Commissioner Ferrell, Commissioner Heath, Commissioner Jones,
Commissioner Keen
ABSENT (1): Commissioner O'Malley
Motion Passed (6 to 0)
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chairperson Anderson opened the Public Comment period.
The following person spoke on this item: None
Chairperson Anderson closed the Public Comment period.
1. Draft Minutes Planning Commission 4-21-26
Recommendation: Planning Commission approve the April 21, 2026
Minutes.
MOTION BY: Commissioner Ferrell
SECOND BY: Vice Chairperson Pennachio
AYES (4): Chairperson Anderson, Vice Chairperson Pennachio,
Commissioner Ferrell, Commissioner Heath
ABSTAIN (2): Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Keen
ABSENT (1): Commissioner O'Malley
Motion Passed (4 to 0)
E. PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
None
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F. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
1. Zoning Code Update - Commercial Zones and Uses
Recommendation: Planning Commission receive information on specific
land uses and development standards for commercial zoning districts.
Part 1: Discussion of land use definitions, uses, and development
standards for the Commercial Innovation Zone.
Chairperson Anderson opened Public Comment
The following person spoke on this item: None
Chairperson Anderson closed Public Comment
Commissioners Pennachio, Jones, Keen, Anderson asked questions of
staff regarding Use definitions and uses in the Commercial Innovation
Zone. Community Development Director Phil Dusnmore and Planning
Manager Kelly Gleason responded.
Part 2: Use Table for the Industrial Zone
Chairperson Anderson recused himself for Part 2 of the discussion as he
owns property within 500 ft of the Industrial Zone and left the dais at 6:48.
Vice Chairperson Pennachio opened Public Comment
The following person spoke on this item: None
Vice Chairperson Pennachio closed Public Comment
Commissioner Jones asked questions of staff regarding Use Table for the
Industrial Zone. Community Development Director Phil Dusnmore and
Planning Manager Kelly Gleason responded.
Chairperson Anderson returned to the dais at 6:52 pm.
Part 3: Use Table for the Commercial Zone
Commissioner Ferrell recused himself as he owns property within 500 ft of
the Commercial Zone and left the dais at 6:51 pm.
Commissioner Pennachio recused himself as he owns property within 500
ft of the Commercial and Commercial Service Zones left the dais at 6:51
pm.
Chairperson Anderson opened Public Comment
The following person spoke on this item: None
Chairperson Anderson closed Public Comment
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Commissioner Keen asked questions regarding the Use Table for the
Commercial Zone. Community Development Director Phil Dusnmore and
Planning Manager Kelly Gleason responded.
Commissioner Ferrell returned to the dais at 6:57 pm.
Part 4: Use table for the Commercial Service Zone
Commissioners Jones, Anderson, Ferrell asked questions regarding the
Use table for the Commercial Service Zone. Community Development
Director Phil Dusnmore and Planning Manager Kelly Gleason responded.
Chairperson Anderson opened Public Comment
The following person spoke on this item: None
Chairperson Anderson closed Public Comment
Commissioner Pennachio returned to the dais at 7:01 pm.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Appeal of Nonconforming Use Determination for 4990 Traffic Way
(APL26-0020)
Recommendation: Planning Commission adopt Draft Resolution A denying
the appeal and upholding staff’s determination that the right to continue
the previous non-conforming Outdoor Vehicle and Equipment Storage Use
at 4990 Traffic Way (APN 028-102-002) has expired per the Atascadero
Municipal Code Chapter 9-7.
Chairperson Anderson recused himself as he owns a property within 500 ft of the
subject property and left the dais at 7:04 pm.
Ex Parte: Commissioner Jones disclosed he received an email from the appellant
as did all the Commissioners. Commissioner Keen disclosed she received an
email from an attorney regarding the subject property.
Assistant City Attorney provided additional information regarding the email
received from the appellant on May 5, 2026 and answered questions from the
Commission as did Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore.
Commissioners Pennachio, Keen, Jones asked questions of Assistant City
Attorney Taylor Foland.
Vice Chairperson Pennachio opened the Public Comment period.
Beth Collins, land use attorney, spoke on behalf of the appellant.
Commissioners Pennachio, Keen, Jones asked questions of the representative
for the appellant.
Vice Chairperson Pennachio closed the Public Comment period.
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Discussion: Commissioner Ferrell, Pennachio, Jones, Keen
MOTION BY: Commissioner Keen
SECOND BY: Commissioner Heath
AYES (4): Vice Chairperson Pennachio, Commissioner Ferrell,
Commissioner Heath, Commissioner Keen
NOES (1): Commissioner Jones
ABSTAIN (1): Chairperson Anderson
ABSENT (1): Commissioner O'Malley
Motion Passed (4 to 1)
Chairperson Anderson returned to the dais at 8:07 pm.
H. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None
I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore provided an update on current
projects and events.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Anderson adjourned the meeting at 8:13 PM
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
____________________________
Crystal Horn, Recording Secretary
Administrative Assistant
APPROVED: May 19, 2026