Planning commission approves Wyrick Lumber permit to add four covered storage canopies at 1306 Whitecourt

The Santa Maria Planning Commission on an affirmative vote approved a plan development permit amendment allowing Wyrick Lumber to install four covered, pole-supported storage canopies and related site improvements at 1306 Whitecourt.

The amendment authorizes four north–south oriented pole barns, each about 4,500 square feet, set 30 feet apart and approximately 10 feet from an existing 12-foot masonry screen wall that separates the storage area from Farnell Road. The canopies will be wood framed with green standing-seam metal roofs and have an approximate peak height of 23 feet. Staff said the project site consists of two parcels totaling about 2.88 acres in the city’s western portion and is zoned PDM-1 and PDM-2 (planned development/light and general manufacturing).

The commission’s action follows a staff presentation describing the site history, prior approvals and existing conditions. Staff said earlier approvals required a 12-foot block screening wall along the eastern perimeter, 18 parking spaces, landscaping maintenance, a six-foot chain-link fence with slats along the northern property line adjacent to a drainage culvert, and restricted site access to Whitecourt. Those screening and landscaping elements will remain; the tallest portions of the proposed canopies will be visible above the wall but staff said existing mature trees will add screening from Farnell Road.

Greg (planning staff) said the project will enlarge and deepen an existing storm basin north of the western parcel to handle increased impervious surface and will rehabilitate landscaping around the basin with drought‑tolerant groundcover and a replacement street tree of a species that matures to roughly 60–100 feet. The expanded basin will be surrounded by a retaining wall topped by a chain-link fence with privacy slats; additional landscaping is proposed adjacent to the new wall to increase screening along the frontage.

The applicant asked the commission to remove certain earlier utility-connection and fire-suppression conditions (staff referenced conditions 21 AI and BI, and conditions 28, 29 and 30 related to sprinklers and fire suppression), arguing that because the canopy areas will remain undeveloped structures without enclosed occupiable space they are not required to be sprinklered. Staff agreed to the removal of the sprinkler requirement for the canopies. Staff also determined the project qualifies for a Class 32 categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for infill development (project under 5 acres, surrounded by urban uses and consistent with the general plan and municipal code), and recommended approval of Plan Development Permit Amendment A2024-12.

During the public hearing no members of the public testified. An applicant representative said the yard contains an on‑site hydrant within about 20–30 feet of the proposed canopies and that the hydrant is maintained. Commissioner Seifert, who said he has construction experience and visited the site, described the proposed canopies as a typical lumber-site solution that will help keep product dry. Commissioners asked a few clarification questions—including confirmation that the canopy color will match other Wyrick sites—and then voted to approve the amendment.

The motion passed with recorded ayes from Commissioners Seifert, Blanco, Mohajer and Chair Dickerson. No further conditions beyond those recommended by staff were added at the hearing.

The commission's approval obligates the project to comply with the prior conditions that remain in force (parking, landscape maintenance and screening of outdoor storage), the CEQA exemption determination, and the new site-specific conditions the commission relied on in approving the permit. Building permits and any required utility or grading permits must still be obtained before construction.