Commission approves commercial truck parking and fence variance at 10950 Alameda Avenue despite staff recommendation to deny

The Planning and Zoning Commission on April 1 approved a conditional use permit to allow commercial truck parking and a variance to permit a six-foot metal siding fence in place of the masonry fence required by the city ordinance at 10950 Alameda Avenue.

The decision came after resident Vanessa Zuniga described safety and access concerns for nearby homes served by a single, narrow bridge. “That bridge is very narrow…I've seen some big tanker trucks. I don't know what they carry, but the big flammable sign on the tanker truck is scary to me,” Zuniga said, adding fears about how emergency vehicles would reach residents if the bridge failed.

Planning staff recommended denial of both the conditional use permit and the fence variance. City planner Jose Botello told commissioners the staff report and the published agenda contained inconsistent language and noted the staff recommendation of denial: “Planning and Zoning staff recommends denial of the conditional use permit request, and the staff is also recommending denial of the variance request.” Staff highlighted the single narrow bridge and proximity to residences as primary concerns.

Applicant Manuel Castello (identified in staff materials earlier as Manuel Quezada) said empty tanker trailers would be parked on the property and that he had a permit from the fire marshal addressing safety of those tankers. Castello said the site has operated with trucks for roughly two years and that trucks had used the location for decades in various forms.

Commission discussion centered on the bridge serving the neighborhood, the property's existing C-2 zoning, and competing points about whether the bridge condition was a city responsibility rather than the applicant's. A motion to approve the conditional use permit and the fence variance was made by Commissioner David Estrada, seconded by Commissioner Yolanda Rodriguez; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The approved request allows the property owner to use the 4.36-acre site for commercial truck parking and to construct a six-foot metal siding fence where the zoning code currently requires a six-foot masonry wall between commercial and residential districts. Staff noted the city is undertaking an ordinance update that may change how conditional use permits and fence standards are applied in the future.