Riverbank Planning Commission recommends approval of parcel map exception for 3818 Sierra Street

Riverbank Planning Commission on Jan. 21 voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2025-001, recommending the City Council approve an exception request and tentative parcel map (01-2023) to subdivide the property at 3818 Sierra Street (APN 132-048-053) into Parcel A of about 13,324 square feet and a designated remainder of about 6,752 square feet.

The application seeks an exception to Riverbank Municipal Code 152.029, which restricts lot depth relative to road frontage. Joshua Mann, Community Development Director, told the commission the existing lot totals roughly 20,076 square feet and that the proposed designated remainder would have only a 20-foot street frontage and an approximately 80-foot depth, creating a flag-lot configuration that exceeds the one-to-three frontage-to-depth ratio in the code. "With that staff recommends the planning commission adopt resolution number 2025Dash001. This would be recommending approval to the city council for a parcel map 0 1 dash 20 23 and exception request based on the findings listed in the staff report," Mann said.

Mann said the flagpole portion would function as driveway access and likely would not be buildable because it would not meet side-yard setback requirements. He said a conditional certificate of compliance from the city engineer will be required before any building permit is issued for the designated remainder; that certificate will require road improvements to extend the 20-foot segment of Front Street to serve the remainder lot.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about dimensions and buildable area. Commissioner John Dinan asked about the size of the flagpole portion and Mann replied that the depth from Front Street to the back of the property is about 80 feet and that the flagged pole would primarily serve as driveway access. A member of the public commented in favor of the division, calling it "an excellent use of infill land."

After discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-001 and recommend approval to the City Council passed in a roll-call vote with Chair Teddy Zamora, Commissioner Michael Sid Alterman, Commissioner John Dinan, Commissioner Joan Stewart and Alternate Commissioner Steve Link voting yes. The commission recorded no no votes or abstentions.

The commission's approval is a recommendation to the City Council; final approval of the parcel map and any subsequent building permits will require the council decision and compliance with the conditional certificate and required road improvements. The project was posted for public notice beginning Nov. 6, 2024, and staff said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Guidelines section 15332 (infill development).