Council rezones former Orchard Supply Hardware site at 2800 Sisk Road to Mixed-Use Highway

The Modesto City Council on April 8 approved an environmental finding and introduced an ordinance to rezone a 5.3-acre property at 2800 Sisk Road (APN 005-037-025) from Planned Development Zone P‑D 179 to Mixed-Use Highway. The property, occupied until 2018 by the former Orchard Supply Hardware store, has remained vacant because the older P‑D designation limited allowable uses, staff said.

Jessica Hill, director of Community and Economic Development, presented the staff report. Hill said the general plan designation for the site is commercial and the rezoning is consistent with neighboring Mixed-Use Highway zones. Staff prepared an initial study/negative declaration for the project and reported a standard public review period (Feb. 3–23) and internal/external referrals; the Planning Commission recommended unanimous approval and forwarded the item to council.

Council members asked whether the property owner had specific reuse plans; staff said the owner was in the audience and that multiple options are under consideration but that no final tenant had been selected. Vice Mayor Bavaro moved to adopt the negative declaration; Council member Wright seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous “Aye.” The council then introduced and waived first reading of the rezoning ordinance in a second unanimous roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The rezone removes an older, narrowly tailored planned‑development restriction that staff and council said had contributed to continued vacancy. By permitting a broader mix of commercial uses, city staff said the change is intended to increase the likelihood the building will be reoccupied and reduce code-enforcement and upkeep issues tied to prolonged vacancy.

Actions recorded: the council adopted the initial study/negative declaration for the rezone and introduced an ordinance amending the zoning map to change the parcel from P‑D 179 to Mixed-Use Highway. Both actions passed on unanimous recorded roll-call votes.

Provenance: - topicintro: block_id "6361.7754", local_start 0, local_end 140, evidence_excerpt "Item 29, a hearing to consider approving rezone from plant development zone P P Dash D 179 to mixed use highway zone on property located at 2800 Sisk Road, Assessor Assessor parcel number 005Dash037Dash025 and we will have a staff report." - topfinish: block_id "6660.52", local_start 0, local_end 110, evidence_excerpt "Aye. Motion carries 6 0. Are there any matters too late for the agenda? Seeing none, I'm calling this meeting of the city council be adjourned."