Commission affirms planning panel, denies special-use permit for 1,800-sq-ft accessory building at 720 Oak Street

The El Dorado City Commission on May 19 affirmed the planning commission and denied a special-use permit for an 1,800-square-foot detached accessory structure at 720 Oak Street, voting 4–1 to uphold the earlier 3–2 planning commission denial.

City staff said the applicant, Gary Taylor, had requested the accessory structure for personal vehicle storage and hobby use. Under current local rules any accessory structure exceeding 1,200 square feet requires a special-use permit; staff said a 2019 revision to the city’s standards created an option to raise that threshold to 1,500 square feet if the owner set the building back 60 feet from the front yard and matched the home's exterior.

Planning commissioners raised concerns about visual impact near the cemetery, the large size of the proposed structure and possible future precedent. Staff had recommended approval with conditions including neutral-colored siding, matching roofing and a setback from Sixth Avenue, but the planning commission denied the permit 3–2. At the May 19 meeting a commissioner moved to affirm the planning commission’s denial; the motion carried 4–1. The commission noted the applicant may reapply with additional renderings, condition changes or other substantial differences.

The planning commission currently has eight active members (board size nine); staff reported three members absent at the planning hearing. The commission discussed that applicants who withdraw or reapply should document substantial changes to their proposal for reconsideration.