Planning commission recommends rezoning 10449 Somerset Drive to allow lot-line adjustment

The Truckee Town Planning Commission on a unanimous vote recommended that Town Council approve a zoning map amendment to rezone 10449 Somerset Drive from public facilities to low-density residential (RLX) to allow a lot-line adjustment that would merge two adjacent parcels.

Staff associate planner Chantal Bernberg told the commission the two parcels share the same General Plan land-use designation (very low-density residential) but are zoned differently; one parcel is currently zoned public facilities. “The change to RL‑X would make it consistent with the general plan,” Bernberg said, and staff recommended adoption of Resolution 2025‑08 recommending approval to council.

Bernberg said the parcel originally served the Glenshire Mutual Water Company and was later sold by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District after the on-site well was decommissioned. The applicant, who owns both parcels, seeks to merge them but cannot complete a lot-line adjustment until the split zoning is resolved. The rezoning would remove the split-zoned condition that would otherwise make a merged parcel nonconforming.

Applicant Mark (first name not specified in record) confirmed the decommissioned well is now buried and said the additional lot area would provide the setback needed to add a wood shop to his garage and a carport for a camper van. “It will give me the setback required to add a wood shop to my garage and a carport for, hopefully, a camper van someday,” he said.

The commission opened public comment on the item (no speakers) and moved to adopt Resolution 2025‑08 recommending Town Council approve the rezoning. The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes from Chair Kavanaugh, Vice Chair Taylor, Commissioner Claren and Commissioner Kauffman; one commissioner did not register a recorded vote on the audio.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory; final approval of the rezoning now moves to Town Council. If council approves, the applicant may return to the town to complete the lot-line adjustment and merge the two parcels.

Key procedural options retained by the commission included continuing the hearing to request additional information, requiring preparation of an initial study if the exemption from CEQA were found unsuitable, or recommending denial if required findings could not be made. Bernberg confirmed the project had been routed to the relevant water and sewer agencies (Truckee Donner Public Utility District and Truckee Sanitary District) and staff had received no capacity concerns.

The matter will next be scheduled for Town Council consideration; the commission’s recommendation and the record will be forwarded to council for a final decision.