Planning Commission approves 69,000-sq-ft warehouse at 7474 Garden Grove Boulevard with rooftop screening requirement

The Planning Commission of the City of Westminster on March 5 adopted Resolution 25-002 approving a development review and an administrative adjustment to permit a height increase of up to 10% for a proposed industrial warehouse at 7474 Garden Grove Boulevard. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the project.

Stephanie Tomayno, contract planner, summarized the proposal: Seventh Street Development proposes to demolish eight existing buildings on a 3.3-acre site and construct a new approximately 69,498-square-foot industrial warehouse with about 10% of the floor area dedicated to office space, 10 truck loading docks and 70 parking spaces. The site is zoned commercial industrial (C-M), and staff recommended the project be reviewed by the commission rather than administratively because of its size and visibility from the Garden Grove Freeway. Tomayno said the project meets development standards except for a minor height increase; the highest point reaches 37 feet 9 inches and falls within the municipal code’s 10% administrative-adjustment allowance to achieve an interior warehouse clearance of 32 feet and proper roof drainage.

Tomayno also reported staff’s environmental review: the project qualified for a CEQA Class 32 infill exemption according to staff analysis and outside consultant review. Notices were mailed to property owners and occupants within 500 feet; staff received two written public comments that were provided as late communications and reviewed before the hearing.

The applicant team described the project and responded to concerns. Craig Furness, president of Seventh Street Development, said the company builds and holds industrial properties and intends to manage the site long-term. Environmental counsel Brandon Gilligan stated the site is not listed on the state Cortese list of contaminated sites and reiterated that the administrative height adjustment is allowed under the municipal code. Frank Reynolds, the applicant’s environmental consultant, confirmed he found no Cortese-list entry for Westminster and the subject parcel.

An opponent, identified by the clerk as Chase Preciado and appearing on behalf of the Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), urged the commission to require full CEQA review, arguing the site is on the Cortese list and that staff’s recommendation to use the infill exemption was improper. The applicant and staff disputed those claims in the record; staff and the applicant’s consultant said the property is not on the Cortese list and that recommended conditions are ordinary land-use conditions rather than CEQA-required mitigation.

Commission discussion focused on visual screening of rooftop equipment visible from the freeway. Commissioners asked the applicant to adjust the parapet so that rooftop equipment and the backs of other parapets would not be visible from the freeway. Staff recommended incorporating the screening details into required construction documents and tying the requirement to issuance of building permits. The commission asked that the screening be architecturally integrated rather than an add-on.

The commission approved Resolution 25-002 on a motion by Commissioner Rose, seconded by Commissioner Hamadi. Roll-call votes were recorded as follows: Commissioner Bowie — yes; Commissioner Hamadi — yes; Commissioner Rose — yes; Vice Chair Anderson — yes; Chair Wolbert — yes. The motion included a condition that prior to issuance of building permits the applicant shall provide revised elevations and details demonstrating that the south parapet and rooftop screening will prevent visibility of rooftop equipment from the Garden Grove Freeway; staff will verify the screening and ensure it is integrated into the building design.

Staff also noted a condition that a future tenant must conform to the warehouse-and-distribution parking ratio for which the building was designed; a traffic review will be required before any tenant improvements to confirm trip-generation assumptions. The commission concluded the project represents reinvestment in an aging industrial site and supports economic development goals.

The commission’s decision becomes effective 15 days after the decision date; the applicant or any interested party may file an appeal with the City Council within that period.