Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025: Pure Vita Recovery Services Conditional Use Permit
Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 13, 2025, to consider a minor conditional use permit for Pure Vita Recovery Services to expand an existing 6-bed community care facility to a 24-bed non-medical adult residential alcohol and drug treatment program at 5761 Mountain Hawk Drive (APN 153-180-029). The meeting lasted approximately two and a half hours, from 12:30 PM start to adjournment after the vote. The commission voted 4-2 to approve the permit, with four ayes (Commissioners Sisko, Horton, Pardot, and Chair Weeks) and two nos (Commissioners Carter and Sanders). Vice Chair Duggan was absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Opposition speakers (approximately 20): Residents and parents expressed concerns about proximity to Austin Creek Elementary School (within half a mile), potential safety risks, increased traffic, parking impacts, and incompatibility with the neighborhood-serving commercial center. Many cited the 2022 denial and argued that the 10-day public notice was insufficient for a 178-day-old application. Speakers included David Chen (president of Skyhawk United, representing over 400 families), Dr. Andrew Maynard, and several medical professionals.
- Support speakers (approximately 12): Former clients, recovery advocates, and neighboring business owners (Edward Jones, Massage Envy, Anytime Fitness, Colleen's Coffee Shop) testified to Pure Vita's professional operation, zero complaints or police calls in three years, and the critical need for treatment beds following the closure of Azure Acres (50+ beds). Supporters included Dr. Ben Goldberg (psychiatrist), Tim McAllister (37 years sober), and Michelle Sawyer (co-founder of Micah's Hugs).
- Applicant presentation: Alex Wignall (owner) described the program as non-medical residential treatment, with 24-hour staff supervision (4-8 staff), no client vehicles on site, and a structured daily schedule. Medical Director Dr. Roderick Fontenette clarified that the facility is licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services as a non-medical alcoholism or drug abuse recovery facility, providing only incidental medical services.
Discussion Items
- Staff report (Nora Bisla): The proposed use meets the zoning code definition of a community care facility, is consistent with the General Plan, and is categorically exempt from CEQA. Parking (42 spaces) exceeds the required 8 spaces. Police Lieutenant Brenda Harrington confirmed no crime increase linked to the existing facility.
- Commission deliberation:
- Commissioners Sisko, Horton, Pardot, and Chair Weeks found the project consistent with zoning and General Plan, noting the applicant addressed previous concerns (smoking location, medical vs. non-medical designation).
- Commissioner Carter cited inability to make findings C and D (compatibility with existing/future land uses and site suitability due to increased intensity from 6 to 24 beds).
- Commissioner Sanders questioned whether the expansion documented a specific need at this location and argued it may not fully align with General Plan policies for complete neighborhoods.
Key Outcomes
- Motion: Commissioner Sisko moved to approve the minor conditional use permit (PLN 25-0136) with conditions including a minimum of 3 overnight staff and 6 daytime staff, no smoking visible from Highway 12, and client supervision at all times. Seconded by Commissioner Pardot.
- Vote: 4-2 in favor (Sisko, Horton, Pardot, Weeks ayes; Carter, Sanders nos; Duggan absent).
- Next steps: The decision is final unless appealed to the City Clerk within 10 calendar days per Zoning Code Section 20-62.
Meeting Transcript
Interpretation of the meeting. For those of just joining the meeting, live interpretation in Mandarin is available in person and virtually. Members of the public or staff who are on Zoom wishing to listen to Mandarin can join the Mandarin channel by clicking on the interpretation icon in the Zoom toolbar. It looks like a globe. If you are on your cell phone or tablet, locate the three dots, tap them lightly, and put a check mark on your preferred language. Check done or activate and begin the interpretation. Once you join the Mandarin channel, we recommend you shut off the main audio so you only hear the Mandarin interpretation. Those who are in the chamber and wish to hear Mandarin interpretation. Please take a receiver from the back of the room. Interpreter, will you please restate this in Mandarin? Thank you. Okay, everyone, I'd like to call to order the November thirteenth, twenty twenty-five meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. If we could have roll, please. Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Carter. Here. Commissioner Sisko. Here. Commissioner Horton. Here. Commissioner Pardot. Here. Commissioner Sanders. Here. Vice Chair Duggan is absent. Chair Weeks. Here. Thank you. Let the record reflect that all commissioners are present with the exception of Vice Chair Duggan. Thank you. Today's meeting by request is being simultaneously translated to Mandarin. We have translation headsets available for those attending in person in the chambers if you would like them. And the translation channel through Zoom has been enabled. By clicking the globe at the bottom of your screen, you will be taken to the Mandarin channel. Additionally, please be sure to speak slowly and clearly for the interpreters. So with that, we have no remote participation under AB 2449. We have one set of minutes from September 25th. Are there any changes, corrections, additions? Okay. Seeing none, those will stand as submitted. Are there any public comments on the minutes from September 25th? Seeing no one, we will go on to public comments on non-agenda matters. As a reminder, this item is for any public comments that are within our purview, but that are not on the agenda. If you would like to make public comment, please go to either podium, and you will have three minutes. There will be a countdown timer once you begin to speak. Okay, seeing no one go to the podium for the public comments and non-agenda matters. We'll move on to uh commission business. Um our statement of purpose is that we are charged with carrying out the California planning and zoning laws in the city of Santa Rosa. Duties include implementing of plans, ordinances, and policies relating to land use matters, assisting in writing and implementing the general plan and area plan, holding public hearings, and acting on proposed changes to the zoning code, zoning map, general plan, tentative subdivision maps, and undertaking special planning studies as needed. And with that, we'll go to Commissioner Reports.
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