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Commission approves conversion of 3205 Sierra Street to office; ADA work required
Summary
The Riverbank Planning Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2025-005 on May 20 to convert an existing house at 3205 Sierra Street into a commercial office, with required ADA modifications and separate sign review.
The Riverbank Planning Commission on May 20 voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2025-005, approving architecture and site plan review 11-2024 to permit conversion of an existing residence at 3205 Sierra Street to commercial office use.
Community Development Director Joshua Mann told the commission the site is approximately 6,250 square feet in the downtown specific plan area and carries a mixed-use designation in both the general plan and the specific plan. The applicant, Anna Merlo, proposes to retain the existing house footprint while altering interior finishes and modifying at least one restroom to meet ADA requirements. An ADA ramp from the public right-of-way to the front entrance is required because the house currently has several flights of stairs to the landing, staff said.
Mann said that exterior changes will be minor — paint and trim — and that the existing asphalt shingles will remain. The interior would be reconfigured to provide a reception/waiting area, two office rooms, two restrooms (one modified for ADA compliance), a rear break room and storage. Mann said the applicant indicated the business would likely be a real-estate office staffed primarily by the applicant and her husband, but he said the commission had not received further details about employees.
Commissioners asked about signage. Mann said any sign in the downtown specific plan area must comply with the specific-plan sign program and will require a separate submittal and review by staff.
Staff found the conversion exempt from further CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (existing facilities). Mann recommended adoption of Resolution 2025-005 approving the site-plan review; the commission approved the resolution by roll call: Chair Tidy Zamora, Vice Chair Michael Sid Alterman, Commissioner John Dinan, Commissioner Joan Stewart and Commissioner Natasha Basso all voted yes. The motion and second were not identified in the public roll-call sequence.
Public notice for the item was published in the Riverbank News on May 7 and mailed to property owners within 300 feet on May 5, and the applicant posted a notice at the property prior to the required 10-day posting period.
