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Baldwin Park planning commission approves auto-repair conditional use permit at 15132 Arrow Highway
Summary
The Baldwin Park Planning Commission unanimously approved Resolution PC 25-14 to allow a full-service auto repair business to operate inside an existing enclosed industrial building at 15132 Arrow Highway, subject to conditions including legalization or removal of unpermitted shade structures and internal-only service.
The Baldwin Park Planning Commission on June 2025 voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing a full-service auto repair facility to operate inside an existing enclosed industrial building at 15132 Arrow Highway.
Staff recommended, and the commission adopted, Resolution PC 25-14 approving CP 25-04, finding the project categorically exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15303. The vote was recorded as Chair Pena: yes; Vice Chair Gonzales: yes; Commissioner Escobosa: yes; Commissioner Rodriguez: yes.
The subject property is at the intersection of Arrow Highway and Gayhurst Avenue and contains two primary structures: the building addressed as 15132 Arrow Highway (approximately 1,830 square feet) and an adjacent office building addressed as 15140 Arrow Highway (approximately 4,504 square feet). Staff said the 15132 building is currently vacant after its most recent use as a welding business; portions of the parcel are currently used as an automotive wrecking yard.
Planning staff described the applicant, identified in the hearing as Archer Dovtien, proposing to operate an automotive repair facility inside the existing building. The project materials show no exterior alterations; a later tenant improvement plan will be required for interior modifications such as the planned installation of one mechanical lift. Staff told the commission the applicant expects to have no more than two employees on-site at any given time, to operate primarily Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and to accept most customers by appointment with only limited walk-in service.
Conditions of approval included requirements that: unpermitted structures on the property (primarily shade structures) be either legalized through permits and plan checks or removed; all automotive repair activity occur entirely within the building; and that violations of conditions could result in revocation of the conditional use permit. Staff also clarified parking: the property has eight on-site parking spaces directly in front of the business that are intended for use by that business; staff stated that the adjacent auto parts business is separate and parking and employees will not be shared.
Planning staff said a notice of public hearing was published in the local newspaper and mailed to property owners and occupants within 300 feet on June 12, 2025, and that no written or verbal public comments were received prior to the hearing. Staff also said a notice of exemption under CEQA will be filed with the Los Angeles County Clerk.
During the hearing commissioners asked about prior code enforcement complaints, parking, the unpermitted shade structures, and hours of operation. Planning staff said they had not received code enforcement complaints specific to the property and reiterated the unpermitted structures must be addressed before occupancy under the permit conditions. The applicant told the commission he has owned the parcel for six years, said neighbors have not raised issues during that time, and confirmed the stated weekday hours for employees.
The commission also approved routine consent items earlier in the meeting, including the minutes from the prior planning commission meeting; that motion passed by the same unanimous roll call.
The commission introduced new assistant planner Yadira Carmona and noted that several commissioners’ terms formally end at the end of the month; members were reminded that seats remain occupied until replaced by city council appointment.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to excuse Commissioner Miranda DeSibb: motion carried (Chair Pena: yes; Vice Chair Gonzales: yes; Commissioner Escobosa: yes; Commissioner Rodriguez: yes). - Motion to approve consent calendar (meeting minutes): carried (Chair Pena: yes; Vice Chair Gonzales: yes; Commissioner Escobosa: yes; Commissioner Rodriguez: yes). - Resolution PC 25-14 approving CP 25-04 (conditional use permit for automotive repair at 15132 Arrow Highway): adopted (Chair Pena: yes; Vice Chair Gonzales: yes; Commissioner Escobosa: yes; Commissioner Rodriguez: yes).
