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Council approves design review and setback variance for Gordon’s Gym at 159 Auburn Street
Summary
The council approved a design-review permit and variance allowing a 6,890‑sq‑ft gym at 159 Auburn Street with reduced side/rear setbacks (4 ft proposed vs. 10 ft required adjacent to multifamily). The applicant proposed 5 on‑site spaces plus street parking; staff recommended approval and council voted unanimously.
The Colfax City Council voted unanimously to approve a design‑review permit and a variance for a proposed 6,890 square‑foot gym at 159 Auburn Street.
Planning consultant Kathy Pease told the council the site is zoned mixed‑use and typically requires additional setbacks when adjacent to residential; the zoning code calls for a 10‑foot residential setback for nearby multifamily properties, but the project proposes 4‑foot side and rear setbacks. Pease said the project qualifies for a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is under 10,000 square feet. She summarized landscaping changes, removal of some mature shrubs, and elevations that intentionally avoid windows on the north side adjacent to residences.
Parking was a topic of council and resident concern. The applicant proposed five on‑site spaces and relied on 13 on‑street spaces on Auburn and Oak streets; Pease noted that because the site is within a quarter‑mile of the transit center, no on‑site parking is strictly required under the municipal parking standard. A council member asked whether the applicant had worked with the nearby church to arrange weekday parking; the applicant said discussions were underway but not finalized.
Neighbors spoke in support and raised practical concerns about event parking and illegal parking that could block driveways. Council discussed enforcement and potential curb repainting or other curb‑control measures to prevent blocking. One council member suggested painted, optical speed‑reduction markings near the site to improve pedestrian safety.
After questions and brief public comment (including residents two houses down who said they supported the project), a council member moved to adopt the resolution approving the design review and variance as proposed; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
What happens next: The city will finalize permit paperwork and the applicant may proceed consistent with the approved plans and conditions; council asked staff to monitor parking and coordinate enforcement if event parking causes blockages.
