Planning commission defers city-center rezoning; asks for single master-plan package

The Oakley City Planning Commission voted unanimously April 10 to defer consideration of proposed zoning changes tied to the city center project until the applicant submits a consolidated master plan development application, a development agreement and any related conditional-use permits.

Commissioners expressed concern that a piecemeal approach — approving rezones or individual conditional-use permits before seeing the full master plan — would reduce the city’s ability to negotiate outcomes the commission and community want, including affordable housing, traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, and coordinated design across the downtown area. Several commissioners specifically referenced the presence of an existing convenience store and gas station (Duchess) on one corner and warned that piecemeal approvals for an across-the-street gas station or convenience store could undercut long-term downtown redevelopment and beautification objectives.

Matt Worthland, representing the property owner and developer, said the amended application will include additional housing and indicated the back parcel would not be left landlocked and would be addressed in forthcoming plans. Commissioners said they wanted to see those details — including access, traffic mitigation, pedestrian safety, and any affordable housing commitments — before recommending rezoning to city council.

A commissioner moved to defer rezoning action on the parcels discussed (the proposed gas-station/c-store parcel across 32 and the Mill Race restaurant parcel) until the applicant submits a complete MPD, development agreement and the related conditional-use permit applications. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners instructed staff and the applicant to prepare a single package for the commission’s review and to attempt to provide that package to the commission within roughly 30 days.