La Habra planning commission approves lot consolidation and CUP for Salinas Tires site

The La Habra Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve a lot line adjustment and a conditional use permit to consolidate three parcels and allow operation of an automobile service business at 201–221 E. Whittier Blvd.

The approval covers Lot Line Adjustment 25-00001 to merge three existing parcels into one and Conditional Use Permit 25-00003 to allow automotive service operations on a 1.6-acre site in the C-2 commercial zone. Commissioner Michael Manley moved the resolution and Vice Chair Ramsland seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Senior Planner Ash Sade told the commission the site contains two buildings occupied by Salinas Tires and Wheels (opened February 2004) and Salinas Audio (opened 2016). Sade said staff learned in February 2024 of outdoor vehicle servicing at the site and of a conversion of an interior storage room into a fifth service bay. Because the conversion expanded an existing, previously legal nonconforming use, staff concluded the property must come into conformance with current C-2 zone rules and therefore requires a conditional use permit. "Staff recommends the planning commission approve this project subject to the conditions of approval," Sade said.

Under the approved conditions, the site must meet a 26-space on-site parking requirement. To meet that total, the commission approved removing the westernmost driveway on Whittier Boulevard and converting that area into four parking spaces; staff said engineering review confirmed adequate access will remain from two driveways on Orange Street and three on Whittier Boulevard. Sade said the 26 spaces are intended for customer use.

The permit and conditions specify permitted vehicle services as tire changes, rotations and balancing, rim installations, brakes and routine maintenance, and audio-system installations. Staff said there will be no removal of full engine units or painting and replacement of body panels on the site, and that security lighting will be limited so that light output does not exceed 0 foot-candles at the northern property line and 0.5 foot-candles along the western property line and street-facing sides. Outdoor storage in the rear lot is limited to 6 feet and must be fully screened by the existing concrete masonry unit wall and mesh screening on the wrought-iron gate.

An employee of Salinas, Hector Montoya, addressed the commission to clarify services. "We don't do the oil changes. No painting, no engine remove," Montoya said, correcting one staff statement that had included oil changes in the list of services. The record therefore contains both staff's description of allowed services and the applicant employee's statement that oil changes are not performed.

During discussion, commissioners asked about the choice to remove the Whittier driveway rather than one on Orange Street. Sade said the decision was based on building square footage and the city's parking requirements and that the western driveway was underused and the conversion to parking was intended to bring the site into conformance. Commissioner Logan Cannon and other commissioners praised staff for clarifying long-standing nonconforming conditions and said the changes will improve the site's appearance and operations.

Commissioner Manley read the motion approving the lot line adjustment and the CUP and stated the commission's determination that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). The commission's vote was recorded as 5-0. The commission's staff noted the lot line adjustment approval is final and that the conditional use permit becomes final in 10 working days unless appealed to the city council.

Staff also told commissioners they would begin providing a building-and-safety plan-check status list to the commission and city council on a weekly basis so commissioners can track entitlement and permitting progress.

The commission adjourned to the next scheduled meeting.