I gotta go on.

Welcome to the January 22nd of Walnut Creek Planning Commission meeting.

Would you call the roll?

Yes.

Commissioner Moran.

Here.

Commissioner Cound.

Here.

Commissioner Strongman.

Commissioner Klopp.

Here.

Chair Anderson.

Commissioners Quok and Vice Chair Knighting both phoned in that they will not be attending tonight.

Thank you.

So we have a quorum.

Even better.

Do we have anything on the consent calendar?

Staff has nothing to recommend to move to the staff to consent.

In that case, we'll move on to item three, which is public communications.

A member of the public.

And one is uh at the hearing for any particular item.

You can just speak at each of those.

The second one is if there is something you wish to speak on that is not on the agenda but is within our jurisdiction.

You can speak at this time.

And if so, uh just come to the podium.

Microphone, no one wants to do that, then we will move on.

Uh disclosure of ex party communications.

Anybody communications to disclose?

All right.

Moving right along then.

Uh, get to the first public hearing, and this is uh Pacific Veterinary Hospital for conditional use permit.

Have a staff report on that.

Okay, it's not up there.

Do have a staff report and perhaps some visual aids.

There we go.

Okay.

So good evening, Planning Commissioners.

My name is Gerardo Victoria, assistant planner community development.

The project before you today is the Pacific Vet Hospital located at 1079 Boulevard Way.

Just some site context for you.

Here, hold on.

Here is Boulevard Way right here.

This is Boulevard Circle.

The tenant space with the star, that's where the business will be located.

The adjacent business is an automotive shop.

The site is surrounded by retail at this location, retail across the street, and a chiropractic and salon offices or businesses located at this location.

The general plan designation is general retail.

The zoning is community commercial.

Pet hospital uses are permitted with approval of a conditional use permit.

So the business plan calls for 9 a.m.

to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

They will be closed, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays.

No overnight boarding of animals are allowed at this location.

No walk-ins are allowed.

The facility is entirely enclosed, and two to three hospital staff will be at the location during hours of operation.

So this is the site plan.

So the tenant will be located at this right here.

It's about 5,000 square feet of tenant space.

This is the adjacent business, the automotive shop.

Over 30 parking stars are located here and north over here.

The floor plan.

This is where the uh MRI is located here in this room right here.

You have the control room and equipment room located here.

The chiller located on the exterior of the building is located here.

The arrow that's pointing diagonally is because of the picture over here.

Was taken a little bit in a diagonal fashion.

So this is the location of the chiller right here.

Excuse me, the enclosure's gonna be located here.

So the standard conditional use permit findings do apply as outlined in the draft resolution that that has been provided to you.

Staff recommends move to adopt a secret determination 15301 existing facilities and approve the conditional use permit based on the findings outlined in the draft resolution to allow the Pacific Vet Hospital at 1079 Boulevard Way.

I am available for any questions or comments the applicant Kira Connery is also available for any questions or concerns or comments.

Questions for staff like Mr Strongman.

What is going on with the second floor of that building?

The second floor has been subleased to the automotive uh business as an office for them.

Okay.

Thank you.

And I notice that there is street parking but when I drove past it uh the other day the parking was full.

Yes.

Yes.

So oh go ahead.

That's fine.

Oh and a good question is okay.

As long as they have I guess three or four spaces reserved for their employees and I guess the van, it should be okay.

Correct.

So they did submit a parking study that showed that for their two to three employees at a time they need two to three stalls plus one additional for the shuttle and they are adequately parked.

The space or excuse me the use allows one parking stall per 250 square feet of rentable floor area but because the previous use had the same parking requirement the they're not they don't need to show additional parking stalls.

Will they be marking those spaces specifically for their for the the vet hospital?

Correct as a parking analysis stated uh they will have to note those.

Thank you.

Questions um just a follow-up question to that I thought I read that the they were they had seven parking spaces that were allocated to them.

Yes uh total seven to them and they're outlined here I believe in green right here.

The the space shares 14 with the auto body shop and then the rest are all for the auto body shop but uh because of the parking analysis they're only required to have uh four total but they're providing seven so if they provide seven that are you can only park there if you're using the the hospital then that's fewer parking for everybody else and the parking lot's currently been full I I don't think it's gonna be I don't I don't think the parking will be assigned.

It's just they've met the parking requirement and and I'm I see okay Gerardo didn't mention it but the there's there's customers do not go to the site this is an annex from the hospital Mafayette.

So just the the pet owners are will not be here so gotcha it's just the staff and the van okay thank you.

Any questions Commissioner Moran forgive my thank you forgive my ignorance about the MRI chillers but is it like an air conditioning unit and I'm kind of you know what I mean like outside makes noise.

The applicant's here she can shed light on that.

Can you hear you come here?

No, yes, the chiller is like a heat pump or an air conditioning unit so it it has a fan that helps cool the MRI machine itself so that runs outside 247.

Yeah so but very similar to an air conditioner.

Oh I'm sorry my name is Kira Connery I'm an architect with MD Architects.

Okay.

That included your staff report yes then I will invite you actually to stay there if you wish.

You or anyone else from your group can make a 10 minute presentation if you wish to add to uh what's been said.

Uh I don't have a presentation to add to Gerardo's today.

I just wanted to be here to thank the commission for considering the project and to answer any questions that anyone might have.

Let me let me start that then I'm curious about the first floor.

The space aside from the uh what was proposed there.

Mm-hmm.

The the rest of the space is not occupied now, is that correct?

Correct.

They are uh leasing the space with the intent of just using it for the MRI scanner and the support spaces, the control room and the equipment room, um, as a supplement to the services that they have at their main hospital.

Okay.

So so if I'm if I'm an employee bringing FIDO in to get uh scanned.

Um I would come in through the through the entrance.

The really red there, and then go around and up to the left into the small office space and correct, yeah.

You sort of uh you go up to the control room door and you would pass through the control room before going into the scan room.

So w what I'm curious about is um if that other tenant space is occupied later on, um will there be th there would have to be some changes made or some restrictions on um or some easements, I guess, across that space to to be able to continue to get animals across there?

Uh it's all a single tenant space.

Uh so the the lease agreement uh with the landlord is for this and the second floor as a single leased space.

So uh they wouldn't they wouldn't use part of the first floor for another purpose if if I'm understanding your question.

So the veterinary hospital is in fact leasing the entire both floors?

They are currently leasing both floors.

So they have complete control over who might be occupying that space and what they might be doing.

Yes and whether they're like animals.

Yeah, they're um they're subleasing one office room on the second floor to the neighboring auto shop to for their sort of secretarial uses.

Um but uh Pacific veterinary leases both floors from the landlord, yeah.

Do you know if there's any you know plan is it just be simple uh renting to uh for for office space or I don't think they have any uh other plans to sub lease anything to anyone else?

I think the auto shop sub lease was just a matter of neighborly convenience.

Okay.

Because they had the space available and they needed some extra space, yeah.

Okay.

Anyone else questions?

Commissioner Klopp.

Hi, thank you for coming.

Um and I I'm um uh wondering if you're able to answer this question um it relates to safety.

Uh so MRI machines are extremely high risk.

I'm a nurse healthcare person.

Um and so I am making an assumption, but I just want to validate it that they have a machine in a trailer on site uh in Lafayette right now and it's being moved to this location or a a device will be placed in this location so they already know how to work with an MRI, but will the training process and the safety process uh be consistent and be in place?

Yes.

Um they no longer currently have the trailer.

They they had the trailer previously it was removed and uh the lease on it was ended, so it the trailer's no longer in the equation, but they are familiar with uh general MRI safety protocols as a business and will be observing those and training staff as needed for the the new machine that'll be going into this space.

Yeah.

Thank you.

One more question, Strongman.

Um do you know how many um MRIs still perform per day?

Uh that I do not know.

I could certainly find out from the business owner if if that's of interest to the committee.

I guess I'm looking at how many trips between this place and Lafayette will take place per day.

Um I think it varies from what I've heard so far for uh from their general business plan, but I don't have a specific number that I can share.

Okay, thank you.

Is it um do do most veterinary hospitals I know the architect out there, but um project can tell me.

Um do most veterinary hospitals have MRI facilities?

No, it's less common for for veterinary, it's becoming a more common service.

Um and so more businesses are looking to add them or to create practices that have them.

Um they they do bring in a lot of money for the the practices, so it's a it's a draw in that sense, but they are, you know, very serious expensive pieces of equipment to purchase and maintain.

Would there be any indication that that uh it might be helpful to to the veterinarian around the the area um to be able to to uh use this facility or to um you know bring their animals from other veterinarian hospitals?

Oh um, I don't know.

Uh that hasn't come up in our conversations about the business plan with the client, but um uh it seems like a possibility, but not necessarily a specific intent with this project.

Okay, just uh to staff.

If that if that were to be the case, we decided there was a demand for you know bringing, you know, animals from other hospitals.

Um would there be an additional approvals or would be required to deal with that?

I don't think so.

It would just be um, in fact, that I would market that if it was me, um, to provide that service for different veterinary clinics around.

Okay, and we I don't think it would change anything that planning staff would do.

Okay, thank you.

All right.

All right, thank you.

And uh, ask for any public comment on this matter.

Anybody in the few people out there and representing the public want to come and speak, that's fine.

If uh not, then I don't see any movement uh we'll pass on.

And um the applicant, of course, has five minutes to uh respond to the comments that were not made.

But um, you're willing to pass that on.

We'll just get on bring it back to the close the public hearing and bring it back to the commission.

Commissioner Count.

Uh I'm ready to make a motion.

Uh Mr.

Chair, I move that uh we approve um the resolution for the conditional use permit, application number Y 25069, and finding it exempt from CEQA as well.

Second, we have a motion and a second, any discussion about the motion.

If not, would you call the roll?

Okay.

Commissioner Cound.

Yes, Commissioner Strongman.

Yes, Commissioner Moran?

Yes, Commissioner Klopp.

Yes, Chair Anderson.

Yes, motion carries.

Thank you.

And uh we will move on to the next item, which is um stereo 41 conditional use permit for alcohol sales and service past 11 p.m.

Staff report.

Thank you.

Good evening, commissioners.

Good evening, Chair, members of the commission.

Uh Simmer Gale, senior planner with the city.

And I apologize, I'm getting over a cold.

So if I if I need to repeat anything, please let me know.

Um so tonight before you is a conditional use permit uh for stereo 41.

They're requesting uh to extend their alcohol hours.

And the applicant and owner representing the project uh Victor is here tonight.

And from the city, we have Lieutenant Drew Olson with the Walnut Creek Police Department, and of course, myself to answer any questions you may have after this presentation.

And just to quickly orient you with the site, uh Stereo 41 is located at the corner of I guess I'll try using this as well, a commercial and bonanza, and this is the building right there.

Um it is a 3,000 square foot building and it is surrounded by uh similar commercial retail restaurant type uses.

Uh site is zone pedestrian retail.

Um restaurants are permitted by right in this zone, and a conditional use permit is required as the request is to serve alcohol beyond uh 11 p.m.

Uh just to quickly give you a little background uh the project or the restaurant is currently operating under a administrative use permit, which does allow the restaurant to serve alcohol till 11 p.m.

seven days a week.

And uh this was approved um in 2025, and then in 2024, prior to that, um the applicant has submitted a design review uh essentially to remodel and um add on some new areas to that existing space.

Uh so by the time everything was completed, the business didn't really start operating till November 13th of 2025.

And uh currently Serial 41 is operating as a full service restaurant under a type 47 alcohol business license, which does allow beer, wine, and distilled spirits, and the hours of operation are 11 a.m.

to 11 p.m.

seven days a week.

Alcohol is served both in the indoor and outdoor dining areas of the restaurant.

And the um the outdoor dining permit does limit alcohol service until 11 p.m.

uh seven days a week.

So that the outdoor dining area or alcohol service in that area is not affected by this use permit, and they'll stay in place as is.

So tonight uh the applicant is requesting to extend the alcohol hours for Friday Saturdays only.

Uh so the sales and service uh will be till 12 30, which is essentially a last call, letting uh customers know that there will be no alcohol service beyond 12 30 um a.m.

And then uh the consumption would be allowed till 1 a.m.

And here's just um a closer look at the site photos and floor plan.

Um, so as mentioned earlier, the um CUP tonight um is only for the indoor dining area.

So the request to extend alcohol hours were only applied to the um sorry, the indoor dining area.

And um the photos you hear see here is the top is the entrance of the building, and the photo here is um taken from commercial lane.

This is essentially the outdoor dining area behind.

You go in through this door here, and I believe you can also access the outdoor dining area from the entrance to the left side, and before you tonight are these uh findings, conditional use permit findings uh that will need to be made in order to approve this project, and here are additional conditional um alcohol findings that are required to be made, and all of these findings are addressed and outlined in your draft resolution attachment one, and I'm happy to go over any of them or elaborate if needed.

So uh tonight's staff does recommend that the planning commission move to adopt the draft resolution approving the conditional use permit, allowing the alcohol sales and service till 12 30 a.m.

and consumption of alcohol till 1 a.m.

on Friday and Saturdays only.

And with that, I do conclude my presentation but happy to answer any questions.

Questions for staff.

Commissioner Glock.

Oh, I'm still on, sorry.

Um thank you for the presentation.

Uh, hope you're feeling better soon.

Thank you.

Um, the one question I had or or comment I had was uh I appreciated the concept of limiting this hour extension to just Friday and Saturday.

If I remember remember correctly, there's a provision that after a year of performing well on the Friday Saturday, it can be expanded to other days of the week by an action of just the chief of police and the community development director.

Am I right?

That's correct, and that's actually condition number four, and it's on page five of attachment one.

Perfect.

Um follow-up on that the if that provision were not in there.

And after a year, in order to do that, they would have to come back to the commission.

Is that correct?

That is correct, and typically deputizing the development director and the police chief.

Typically, that is the process that we follow, but given that there have been no calls of service in the last few months for this business, and they have other businesses.

The owner has other businesses operating in Walnut Creek that have not received any calls for service.

Um, we've provided this condition.

Obviously, after further review at that time, one year from today, we we can then make that call.

So just trying to streamline the process if we can for businesses that are in good operations.

Thank you.

Questions?

Commissioner Cowan.

Um, I appreciate uh that there are business owners of multiple businesses that uh that have such a an excellent track record um and that that was taken into account um with this plan.

Can you just for the purposes of the public to understand, talk about what it looks like if there are any issues um over the coming year after if this is approved?

So this is operating under if this conditional use permit is approved tonight, it would operate allowing the alcohol extended hours only on Friday and Saturdays, and of course, one year from this, if they were to extend the hours of operation, they would need to come in to the city offices, submit an updated operating plan, and at that time the walnut creek police department, which I can also let the lieutenant elaborate if needed, but they will review that and check the records to see if there's any calls for service or there's been any activity that would um require either a obviously a rejection of that condition or um having them come before this commission.

Thank you.

Um I don't know if the uh please would like to give a quick presentation of what you've learned.

Okay, then they've been good citizens, I think.

Yeah, then I will uh uh let the is the applicant here.

Victor.

Would you like to make a presentation or tell us anything?

I'll come.

Thank you.

Can you hear me?

Um I didn't come prepared with a presentation, but um, just here to field any questions if you guys had any and uh thank you for you know taking the uh the application that for the CP and I appreciate it.

Oh no, my name's Victor.

Victor Gabin.

Good to meet you.

Um is the uh you see any difficulty in uh right now the outdoor dining and the indoor close at the same time?

No, we're closing two hours earlier on the outdoor um how that transition takes place.

So right now we close them both at the same time just because we're not open past eleven anyways.

Um in the future.

Uh what we'll end up doing is just shutting that area down at you know 10 o'clock probably, which is normal dining close.

That's like when our kitchen would uh technically close if we were open till 11 anyways.

Um and then moving all of our operations exclusively indoors at 11.

So by the time 11 rolls are on, there probably shouldn't be nobody there.

Most people don't want to be be outside, you know.

We our restaurant has a uh full-time DJ as well.

That's inside.

So no one wants to stand outside of the space anyways.

So very good.

Any other questions?

I do um thanks for being here.

Uh I have yet to uh darken the doorway, but I'm looking forward to it.

But can you just is it is it more of a restaurant?

Is it a bar?

Is it yeah?

So I I the best way I can describe it is it's basically a restaurant with a really good sound system and a well-curated playlist.

So restaurant, we have a bar.

Um the majority of our businesses the food sales.

It's like 80 percent, 70 or 80 percent of our business.

So you know, and with the addition of the late night hours, we will also have food until around midnight.

So I I see the split being, you know, still pretty heavily in the in the favor of food.

Thank you.

Yeah, appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, sorry, any member of the public who wishes to speak on this matter.

Saying none.

Uh, bring it back to the commission and comments.

No comments whatsoever.

Very chill group tonight.

Um, I guess Mr.

Chairman, I'll make uh I'll make a motion.

Mr.

Clark.

I'd like to uh move the approval of the conditional use permit, application number Y twenty five oh eight seven, stereo forty-one, extension of hours for alcohol sales service and consumption on Bonanza Street.

Second.

There's no further comments on the motion.

Call for the role.

Are we ready?

Commissioner Klopp?

Commissioner Strongman?

Uh yes.

Commissioner Moran?

Yes.

Commissioner Cound.

Yes.

Have we missed anybody besides the chair?

Chair Anderson.

Yes.

Okay, motion carries.

Very good.

Thank you very much.

Are there any commission considerations we should think note of?

I I have a couple staff announcements.

Um if we want to get to that.

Um, we have an upcoming meeting where we'll have some bring some food.

Uh it could be a long one.

We've we'll have Mitchell town homes, um, and we'll have the Porsche dealership.

And we'll also have a um potentially, I think we're we're I think it's going to stay on the agenda a mobile trailer over at the children's hospital.

We recently approved and special use permit for one.

They want to do another one.

It's much smaller one, much smaller space.

Uh and also, thank you, Commissioner Cowan.

You brought a uh today she she asked me about the League of Cities Planning Commission Academy.

Uh it is March eleventh through the thirteenth.

It's at the Anaheim, Sheridan.

Uh I know in past years that the city had budget to send commissioners, but um, oh how time changes.

Um however, we are a uh a member of the League of Cities, which brings down the registration fee dramatically from seventeen hundred to seven hundred.

So that's makes if you do register, make sure you register as as a city commissioner.

So you walnut creek.

And that is all I have.

Any other commission comments or uh announcements, reports?

If not, then we go to the other popular item seven, adjournment.

Okay, are adjourned until February twelfth.

Thank you all.

Wow.