Planning Commission approves 2‑year extension for Park Edge mixed‑use permits at 2770 Santa Maria Way

The Planning Commission on a recorded vote approved a two‑year extension of the plan development permit and conditional‑use permit for the Park Edge mixed‑use project at 2770 Santa Maria Way, moving the permit expiration date to July 1, 2027.

Staff said the project — a roughly 7.5‑acre site on the southeast corner of Miller Street and Santa Maria Way with frontage on Sunrise Drive — includes a 140‑unit residential component in eight buildings, a central clubhouse with a pool and amenities, and a multi‑tenant commercial building with a drive‑through at the corner. Cody Grabow, senior planner with the city, told the commission the original approvals occurred June 15, 2022, and the permits became effective July 1 of that year; permits are valid for three years if no building permits are issued. He said the applicant has applied for and received building permits and recorded required lot‑merger and lot‑line adjustments, and that current economic circumstances also supported additional time. “For these reasons, staff does support this request to extend the expiration date of the permit to 07/01/2027,” Grabow said.

The applicant cited higher utility and construction costs in a letter to the commission. Commissioners referenced a developer letter from Damon Porter saying PG&E fees increased by nearly 30 percent for projects that include gas and that the developer faces about a $1,000,000 supplemental water fee that was not in the original pro forma. Laurie Tamora of Urban Planning Concepts, representing the applicant, explained the project is served by Golden State Water District for water and must coordinate both city and district allocations, which adds cost and complexity.

Commissioners said they were familiar with the project and expressed support for granting additional time to complete financing and construction work. The commission made the necessary findings — that the applicant has shown due diligence and that economic factors justify the extension — and approved the permit amendment. The motion passed with recorded votes of Commissioner Seifert — aye; Commissioner Blanco — aye; Commissioner Mahajer — aye; Chair Dickerson — aye. Commissioner Lopez was recorded as absent.

The extension applies to plan development permit PD2020‑0008 and conditional‑use permit U2020‑0012; staff listed the permit amendment as A2025‑003 on the meeting agenda. Staff noted the applicant has progressed on required entitlements and building permits; any further changes will proceed through the normal building‑permit and inspection processes.

The commission did not ask staff to impose additional conditions beyond the standard findings and recordation items; Golden State Water District and utility cost issues were cited by the developer as the primary justification for the time extension.