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Council approves conditional-use permit for tow and storage yard at 301 Guadalupe Street
Summary
The Guadalupe City Council voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing an impound and vehicle storage yard at 301 Guadalupe Street, with conditions including full screening and a no-backing-out requirement.
The Guadalupe City Council on Jan. 28 approved a conditional use permit to allow an outdoor tow and vehicle storage yard at 301 Guadalupe Street.
Planning staff presented the project as a conditional use permit request from applicant Jason Sahagan, president of Central City Towing in Santa Maria, to use an existing 4,750-square-foot, paved lot in the MC (Industrial Commercial) zoning district as an impound and storage yard. Bill Scott of city planning staff said the code requires screening of outdoor storage and that staff recommended slats be added to the existing fence to provide permanent screening; staff also recommended a condition prohibiting backing out onto the street.
The permit includes conditions that require: slatted screening on the fencing, retention of existing paving where applicable, and an operational condition that prohibits vehicles from backing out onto Guadalupe Street. Scott told the council staff had provided flexibility to the operator on internal site layout but added the “no backing out” condition to prevent trucks or tow operators from reversing onto public ways.
During council questions, members asked whether the city should limit how long an impounded vehicle can remain on site; Scott said the applicant’s project description referenced standard impound time periods but staff did not add a strict time limit in the permit. Scott said the project is small, already paved, and considered compatible with surrounding industrial uses; he also noted the applicant had said the railroad car currently on the site could be removed in the future but staff did not attach a deadline.
The public hearing drew no objections. Scott said the property has access from both Guadalupe Street and an alley, and staff added a condition requiring that vehicles turn around on-site rather than back onto the street.
A motion to adopt Resolution 2025-05, approving Conditional Use Permit 2024-054 and the associated CEQA exemption for the 301 Guadalupe Street vehicle storage yard, carried on a roll call vote: Council members Velez, Villegas and Hernandez and Mayor Julian voted aye; Council member Costa Junior was absent.
The council’s action authorizes the use as conditioned; staff will implement and monitor the conditions as part of permit administration.
