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San Rafael planning commission unanimously approves expansion of 990 Anderson Drive self‑storage
Summary
On Sept. 23, 2025, the San Rafael Planning Commission approved a major environmental and design review and conditional use permit allowing a second story addition to expand the existing mini‑storage facility at 990 Anderson Drive. The project adds 68,000 square feet and 525 units; staff concluded it qualifies for a CEQA Class 32 exemption.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The San Rafael Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a major environmental and design review and a conditional use permit for an expansion of the existing self‑storage facility at 990 Anderson Drive.
The commission approved staff’s recommended resolution permitting a second‑story addition that would add about 68,000 square feet and 525 new storage units, bringing the facility to roughly 140,000 square feet and about 1,400 units. Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution as presented in the staff packet; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
Staff said the project site is in southeast San Rafael on a parcel of roughly 145,000 square feet (about 3.27 acres) near the intersection of Anderson Drive and Jacoby, adjacent to U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 580. The proposal would bridge a second story over Building A, increase the floor‑area ratio (FAR) to about 0.98, and reach a maximum height of 33 feet, 8 inches. The general industrial zoning district cited in the staff report carries a typical maximum FAR of 0.33, but policy LU 2.11 was identified as the specific general plan policy that allows an increase in FAR up to 1 if certain findings are met.
Margaret Cavanaugh, planning manager, told commissioners the city procured an independent report finding the project eligible for a CEQA Class 32 exemption. "The project does qualify for the Class 32 exemption," she said. Cavanaugh also said the municipal code contains provisions allowing "substantial compliance with the approved plans," which gives the director "a significant amount of discretion" to address minor plan changes that might arise during permit review, including issues related to flood maps.
Commissioners asked about landscaping and flood‑zone impacts. Staff explained the site is largely covered at ground level and that additional landscape plantings are limited by existing development; staff noted any special flood hazard analysis would be completed during the building permit phase when architectural plans are available. The applicant’s representative, Evan Lovand, confirmed the site is currently fully developed on the ground plane and said additional landscaping would be added where physically possible.
Background materials in the staff packet state the existing mini‑storage use and buildings were originally approved by the commission in 1975. Staff listed conditions of approval to ensure compliance with building and fire codes and Department of Public Works requirements.
Next steps for the project include submittal of detailed architectural and engineering drawings for building permit review, including flood‑hazard analysis and any necessary permit adjustments under the municipal code. The planning manager told commissioners that changes that are not "substantially compliant" with the approved project would likely need to return to the commission for further action.
No members of the public spoke on the item during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The commission moved on to the director’s report after the vote, with staff noting several upcoming zoning and general plan amendments scheduled for consideration in the fall and winter.
