Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting - April 27, 2021

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met remotely on April 27, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. to consider four public hearing items: a mini storage facility, a residential development in Delta Shores, an ordinance amending accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, and a conditional use permit for alcohol sales at a gas station. New commissioners Barry Boyd and Enoch Young were introduced. The meeting ran until approximately 10:30 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of April 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2021-00447): Approved unanimously. Commissioners Buckley, Lindsay, Masias Reed, and Young abstained due to absence from the prior meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (Extra Space Storage): No public comments were submitted.
• Item 4 (Delta Shores Residential Development): Former Mayor Heather Fargo urged the commission to oppose parkland reduction, stating that higher density should bring more parkland, not less. Chris Holm of WALKSacramento raised concerns about sidewalk widths and pedestrian connectivity, and suggested adding a pedestrian easement. The applicant's representative, Baron Caronite, noted a 1,200-unit reduction in the overall project (from 5,222 to about 4,000 units) and argued that the park reconfiguration improves walkability.
• Item 5 (ADU Ordinance): Speakers included Maggie Coulter of the Elmhurst Neighborhood Association, who opposed expanding ADU size and eliminating parking requirements; Cornelius Burke of the North State Building Industry Association, who supported the ordinance; Linda Gonzalez, who raised CEQA concerns and requested more community outreach; and Anthony Lundberg of YIMBY Sacramento, who supported the policy as a tool to address the housing shortage. Additional e-comments were read from the Land Park Community Association opposing the changes.
• Item 6 (Orchard Lane Alcohol CUP): Numerous callers expressed opposition, citing proximity to two schools, three parks, and concerns about safety, loitering, and a prior agreement to forgo alcohol sales. Supporters, including the applicant's representative and a local resident, argued that beer and wine sales are incidental, the store is well-run, and that the conditions requested by the police department would mitigate any negative impacts.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Extra Space Storage (P20-042): Staff recommended approval of a conditional use permit, site plan and design review, and tree permit for a 149,396-square-foot climate-controlled mini storage building at 400 Bercut Drive. The project includes a deviation for parking lot shading due to easements. Commissioner Masias Reed recused herself due to prior discussion with the applicant. The commission approved the motion unanimously.

• Item 4 – Delta Shores Residential Development, Villages MDR-5 and MDR-8 (P20-024): Staff recommended forwarding approvals for a general plan amendment, rezoning, planned unit development schematic amendment, tentative maps, and site plan with deviations. Discussion focused on parkland reduction from approximately 11 acres to a single 6.13-acre park near the elementary school, an increase in potential units (up to 172 more than the original plan), and the adequacy of the CEQA addendum. Commissioner Boyd expressed concern that a new EIR was needed. The applicant argued the project would have fewer total units (4,000) than the original 5,222. The commission voted 8-1 to approve (Commissioner Boyd dissenting).

• Item 5 – ADU Ordinance (M21-001): Staff presented a permanent ordinance replacing an emergency measure expiring July 31, 2021. Key changes include increasing attached ADU size to 1,200 square feet, allowing greater lot coverage exemption (up to 1,200 square feet), and requiring three-foot setbacks for ADUs within 60 feet of the front property line. Discussion addressed the lack of a parking mandate (state law prohibits required parking near transit), privacy concerns mitigated by building code openings restrictions, and the city's outreach efforts. The commission voted 8-1 to approve (Commissioner Boyd dissenting), with a recommendation that staff send email notifications to neighborhood associations about the upcoming City Council hearing.

• Item 6 – Orchard Lane Alcohol CUP (P20-012): The applicant sought a conditional use permit to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption at the Arco AM/PM station at 2701 Orchard Lane. Staff recommended denial due to proximity to Two Rivers Elementary and Leroy Green Academy (both within a quarter-mile) and three parks, and a history of community opposition that led to prior agreement to forgo alcohol sales. The commission first voted on a motion to adopt staff's recommendation (denial); that motion failed 4-6 (Aye: Lindsey, Yi, Vice Chair Pluckebaum; No: Buckley, Boyd, Chase, Masias Reed, Wallace, Young, Chair Coville). A subsequent motion to direct staff to return with revised findings supporting approval passed (Aye: Chase, Masias Reed, Wallace, Young, Chair Coville; No: Lindsey, Yi, Vice Chair Pluckebaum; Buckley and Boyd did not vote on this motion, but the chair declared it passed). The item will return to the commission for a final decision.

Key Outcomes

• Item 3 – Extra Space Storage: Approved unanimously (8-0, with one recusal).
• Item 4 – Delta Shores Residential Development: Approved 8-1 (Commissioner Boyd dissenting). The commission forwarded recommendations to the City Council.
• Item 5 – ADU Ordinance: Approved 8-1 (Commissioner Boyd dissenting). The ordinance will proceed to the City Council.
• Item 6 – Orchard Lane Alcohol CUP: The motion to deny failed 4-6. The commission then voted to direct staff to prepare a revised staff report with findings supporting approval, allowing the project to return for a future hearing.