Planning commission approves El Sur dine‑in use permit in North Fair Oaks

San Mateo County Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved a use permit allowing El Sur restaurant at 2840–2844 and 2832 Middlefield Road in North Fair Oaks to add indoor dine‑in service with seven tables, a one‑space parking exception and a fence‑height exemption.

Staff said the project planner, Erica Adams, determined the parcel is zoned for mixed‑use commercial development and that indoor dining is conditionally permitted with a use permit. Adams told commissioners the project proposes seven indoor tables; the development is short one of the seven required parking spaces and proposes to use six off‑site parking spaces on an adjacent parcel under common ownership located approximately 40–80 feet from the restaurant’s front door. The application also requests a fence‑height exception to allow a 6‑foot metal gate in the front setback where the limit is 4 feet.

Adams told the commission Environmental Health and Menlo Park Fire have reviewed the site plan, and staff found hours of operation would be consistent with the county noise ordinance. She said bicycle parking was provided to meet zoning requirements but would not be counted as a substitute for the one missing automobile parking space. Adams also said the site met applicable Americans with Disabilities Act parking requirements when the business opened as a takeout restaurant in October 2024.

Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a signed county agreement to dedicate and maintain the off‑site parking spaces for the restaurant and language acknowledging that a change in ownership or loss of access to the off‑site parking may terminate the use permit. Adams described the fence as already in place and said the permit would legalize the existing, over‑height fence.

There were no members of the public who spoke on the item and the applicant did not appear to present at the hearing. After brief commissioner questions about ADA compliance, bicycle parking and enforcement of the off‑site parking, Commissioner Nugent moved to approve the use permit (county file PLN2024‑00273) pursuant to the San Mateo County ordinance code and to find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guideline Section 15301 (Class 1). Commissioner Garcia seconded. The commission voted unanimously (Garcia, Gupta, Nugent and the chair voting aye) and the motion carried.

The approval permits the operation described in the application — seven indoor tables, the off‑site parking arrangement, and the fence‑height exemption — subject to the standard conditions of approval and the off‑site parking agreement required by the county. The project file and any permit conditions will be available through the Planning Department once finalized.