Davis Planning Commission Meeting Summary – April 22, 2026

The Planning Commission of Davis, California met on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Inspire Martial Arts at 4614 2nd Street and a final planned development and design review for a new manufacturing building at 4630 Fermi Place. The agenda was amended to defer a proposed monthly General Plan Update meeting discussion to a future date. Staff provided updates on several projects, including the upcoming G Street developments and the Willow Grove workshop before the City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from December 10, 2025: Approved unanimously.
• 2024-2025 Certified Local Government (CLG) Annual Report: Received and accepted unanimously.
• Upcoming Subdivision Committee Public Hearing on 724 and 730 G Street Tentative Map and Parcel Map: Informational item noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Inspire Martial Arts (Item 6A): Multiple members of the public spoke in support of the conditional use permit.
  • Jim Gray (real estate broker, representing the landlords) noted the area’s history of flexible uses and encouraged approval.
  • Chris Smithers (instructor and former student) described the school’s positive community impact and parking advantages.
  • Barry Rice (long-term resident and college professor) praised the inclusive environment and mental health benefits; urged support.
  • Chad DeMacy (local real estate agent and parent) highlighted the ample parking compared to the current downtown location.
  • Mikel Wilson (instructor and former student) emphasized the school’s role in personal growth and parking relief.
  • Patty Young (former parent of students) described safety concerns at the current site and requested approval for the move.
  • No speakers opposed the project.
• Palisades LLC Manufacturing Building (Item 6B): No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Inspire Martial Arts (CUP #01-26, PA #26-04): Senior Planner Eric Lee presented the staff recommendation to affirm the zoning interpretation allowing commercial recreation as a conditional use in the PD #4-88 Light Industrial/Business Park Subarea and to approve the conditional use permit. The proposed use would occupy approximately 5,554 square feet within an existing 10,000-square-foot building with no exterior modifications. The applicant, Richard Baccherini (owner), noted the parking availability and the benefit of co-location near the Target shopping center. The commission praised the business's reputation and the lack of opposition. The item passed unanimously.
• Palisades LLC Manufacturing Building (FPD #01-26, DR #03-26, PA #26-05): Staff presented a proposal for a 12,000-square-foot manufacturing and office building with a 2,400-square-foot storage building on a 1.26-acre parcel at 4630 Fermi Place. The use (design and manufacture of laser systems for medical devices) is permitted in the light industrial business park subarea. The project complies with all zoning standards, includes landscaping and bioswales, and is CEQA-exempt. The applicant, Steve Greenfield (Cunningham Engineering), and Andy Quang (CHD Architects) answered commissioner questions about building flexibility and parking lot shading. The commission approved the resolution unanimously.
• Announcements and Staff Updates: Principal Planner Dara Dungworth reported that two major G Street projects (240 G and 500 G) and the Sweet Briar Townhomes are moving toward construction this summer. Senior Planner Eric Lee provided a recap of the Willow Grove City Council workshop (April 21), which was well-received, with a public hearing set for May 5. He also noted that a minor Certificate of Appropriateness for the historic Amtrak station had been processed administratively. Commissioner Vince McLaughlin commented on the project’s alignment with economic development goals.
• Long Range Calendar: Staff outlined upcoming work: General Plan Update (GPU) workshop on April 30 and continuing outreach, a planned development audit, a mobile vending ordinance update, and a housing progress package (ADU, SB6, SB9 updates) tentatively scheduled for June 10. Quarterly historical resources training sessions were noted as placeholders pending adoption of the Historic Resource Management Ordinance, targeted for September 9.

Key Outcomes

• Inspire Martial Arts CUP: Motion to affirm the zoning interpretation and approve Resolution approving CUP #01-26, with a CEQA exemption finding under Section 15301(a), passed unanimously (4-0).
• Palisades LLC Manufacturing Building FPD and DR: Motion to approve Resolution approving Final Planned Development #01-26 and Design Review #03-26, with CEQA exemption findings under Sections 15303 and 15332, passed unanimously (4-0).
• Agenda Amendment: Item 6C (Commission Initiated Task Proposal for Monthly GPU Update Meetings) was removed from the agenda due to the absence of Commissioner Brinkley, who sponsored the proposal; no vote on the item.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously with no items removed for separate discussion.
• Next Steps: City Council will hold a public hearing on Willow Grove on May 5, 2026. The next GPU public workshop is April 30, 2026. Staff will continue work on various ordinance updates and planned development cleanup.