Joint Meeting of Planning Commission and Historic Design Review Commission - January 21, 2026

The City of Auburn Planning Commission and Historic Design Review Commission (HDRC) held a joint meeting on January 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered the approval of a Historic Design Review Permit for the Auburn State Theatre, election of Planning Commission officers, and a Design Review Permit and Use Permit for the Fairgate Wash Center expansion. The meeting also deferred a separate item to a future date.

Consent Calendar

• The Planning Commission unanimously approved the meeting minutes from November 18, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (non-agenda): No members of the public spoke.
• Auburn State Theatre (Item 4.A): Applicant Colleen Sands, Executive Director of Auburn State Theatre, presented the project and answered commissioner questions. No other public comments were received.
• Fairgate Wash Center (Item 6.A): Applicant Dora Lemke, owner of DRL Investments, spoke in favor of the project, highlighting the need for RV wash facilities in the area. No other public comments were received.

Discussion Items

Historic Design Review Permit – Auburn State Theatre (985 Lincoln Way, HDRP 25-02)

• The HDRC and Planning Commission jointly considered a permit for exterior renovations, including storefront window and door replacement, a 1,200-square-foot green room addition at the rear, and repainting using historic Sherwin-Williams colors (Cascade Green, Vogue Green, Deep Maroon).
• Staff noted that the project is consistent with the City’s Historic Preservation Architectural Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, as confirmed by a December 19, 2025 memorandum from Page & Turnbull.
• A key condition requires a recorded access easement across the adjacent Local Heroes property (1120 High Street) for building code ingress/egress. The applicant indicated they have a recorded license agreement but staff stated a full recorded easement is needed prior to building permit issuance.
• The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Classes 31 and 1 (Government Code Sections 15301 and 15331).
• Commissioners discussed the accuracy of elevation drawings, the preservation of existing windows and facade details, and the need for the chevron pattern to be shown on revised plans. The applicant confirmed all historic elements (chevrons, second-floor windows, mural) will be retained.
• The permit was approved unanimously (8-0).

Election of Planning Commission Officers (Item 5)

• The Planning Commission re-elected incumbents for 2026: Chair Steve Hyatt, Vice Chair Kramer, Traffic Committee Representative Commissioner Lehmberg, and Traffic Committee Alternate Commissioner Hobbs. All votes were unanimous.

Design Review Permit & Use Permit – Fairgate Wash Center (205 Fairgate Road, DRP 25-03 and UP 25-02)

• The applicant proposes adding two new self-serve RV wash bays (22'×45' each) and a 24'×10' equipment storage/restroom on adjacent Parcel B, plus site improvements (driveways, drainage, lighting, fencing, landscaping).
• The existing carwash is a legal non-conforming use in the C-3 zone; expansion requires a Use Permit. The Design Review Permit is needed for new structures.
• Staff found the project compatible with surrounding uses (fairgrounds, industrial, commercial) and conditioned the approval on a boundary line adjustment merging Parcel B and D, landscape plan submittal, lighting details, and other standard conditions.
• Commissioner Lehmberg expressed concerns about the building's architectural character given the prominent location near the Bernhard Museum, suggesting a more rustic design, but ultimately voted against the Design Review Permit (vote 4-1). The Use Permit was approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• HDRP 25-02 (Auburn State Theatre): Approved unanimously. The applicant must record a permanent access easement with the adjacent property prior to building permits.
• DRP 25-03 (Fairgate Wash Center): Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Lehmberg dissenting). Landscape and lighting plans to be submitted with improvement plans.
• UP 25-02 (Fairgate Wash Center): Approved unanimously.
• Officer Elections: All incumbents re-elected.
• Item 6.B (160 Oak): Continued to the February 17, 2026 meeting as noted in the agenda.
• Staff Reports: Planning Director Tia Klumpp provided updates on a pending short-term rental appeal, upcoming ordinance updates (signage, ADU), the Auburn Station Infill Project draft EIR (public comment through February 6, 2026), and the General Plan Update timeline (draft EIR expected in spring 2026).