Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting - April 22, 2021

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on April 22, 2021, starting at approximately 5:50 p.m. and adjourning around 9:52 p.m. The commission considered four public hearing items, including a mini-storage facility, a major residential development, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, and a conditional use permit for alcohol sales at a gas station. The meeting also included a consent calendar and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Item 01: Approved the meeting minutes of April 8, 2021.
• Item 02: Received and filed the Director’s Report (oral).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 03 (Extra Space Storage): No public comments were received.
• Item 04 (Delta Shores): Former Mayor Heather Fargo spoke in opposition to the reduction of parkland, urging the commission to maintain park acreage. Chris Holm from Walk Sacramento provided observations and recommendations regarding pedestrian connectivity. The applicant’s representatives clarified project changes and addressed concerns about density and park relocation.
• Item 05 (ADU Ordinance): Maggie Coulter from the Elmhurst Neighborhood Association opposed the proposed ordinance, arguing that the city should not go beyond state requirements, particularly regarding setbacks, lot coverage, and parking. Cornelius Burke from the North State Building Industry Association supported the ordinance to increase housing supply. Other callers expressed both support and opposition, with concerns about parking, privacy, and community engagement.
• Item 06 (Orchard Lane Alcohol CUP): Many residents and community leaders, including David Brady (past president of River Oaks Community Association), Rosa Wright, Wayne Johnson (president of ROCA), and others, opposed the permit, citing proximity to schools, parks, and a prior agreement not to sell alcohol. Some callers, including business representatives and neighbors, supported the permit, arguing it would provide convenience and help the business survive. The Natomas Unified School District also submitted opposition letters. The commission also noted over 130 e-comments, with roughly 70 in support and 55 in opposition.

Discussion Items

• Item 03 – Extra Space Storage (P20-042): The commission considered a conditional use permit for a four-story, 149,396-square-foot mini storage facility at 400 Bercut Drive. The project included a deviation for parking lot shading, a tree permit for removal/pruning of 16 trees, and an environmental exemption. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners had no questions, and the motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Item 04 – Delta Shores Residential Development (P20-024): The project involved modifications to the Delta Shores Planned Unit Development to facilitate residential development in Villages MDR-5 and MDR-8. Key changes included a general plan amendment, rezone, PUD schematic map amendment, tentative map revisions, and site plan and design review. The applicant sought to increase density by up to 172 additional units (though actual build-out may be lower) and to consolidate parkland near an elementary school. Commissioners questioned park acreage, the environmental addendum (CEQA), pedestrian accessibility, and the viability of smaller parks. Commissioner Boyd expressed concern about the lack of a new EIR given increased traffic and density. Staff and the environmental consultant defended the addendum, stating changes were within previously studied impacts. The commission voted 9–1 to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council (Commissioner Boyd dissenting).
• Item 05 – Ordinance Amending City Code for Accessory Dwelling Units (M21-001): Staff presented a permanent ADU ordinance aligning with state law and making minor modifications: increasing attached ADU size to 1,200 square feet, reducing rear/side setbacks for ADUs within 60 feet of the front property line, and increasing lot coverage exemption from 800 to 1,200 square feet. The ordinance also removed parking requirements (consistent with state law). Commissioners debated parking impacts, privacy, community outreach, and the city’s authority to go beyond state minima. Commissioner Chase and others supported the ordinance as a tool to address the housing shortage. Commissioner Messias Reed moved to approve the staff recommendation, which was seconded. The motion passed 8–2 (Commissioners Boyd and Yi dissenting).
• Item 06 – Orchard Lane Alcohol Conditional Use Permit (P20-012): Staff recommended denial of a CUP for beer and wine sales at an ARCO gas station at 2701 Orchard Lane, citing proximity to schools (Two Rivers Elementary and Leroy Green Academy), parks, and the general plan’s policies to protect family-friendly neighborhoods. The applicant argued that the permit would provide needed revenue and that conditions could mitigate any impacts. After extensive public comment, a motion to adopt staff’s recommendation to deny failed (motion failed). A subsequent motion to direct staff to return with revised findings and conditions for approval passed 5–4. The item will be re-noticed and heard again at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Extra Space Storage (Item 03): Approved unanimously.
• Delta Shores (Item 04): Recommended approval to City Council (9–1).
• ADU Ordinance (Item 05): Recommended approval to City Council (8–2).
• Orchard Lane Alcohol CUP (Item 06): The motion to deny failed; the commission directed staff to prepare a revised report with findings for approval (5–4). The item will return for a public hearing.
• Member Comments: Commissioner Pluckebaum adjourned the meeting with thanks to new commissioners and staff.