SEASIDE — The Seaside Planning Commission voted unanimously May 29 to recommend the City Council approve a zoning map amendment for 1020 Auto Center Parkway that would change the parcel’s zoning from Automotive Regional Commercial (CA) to Regional Commercial (CRG), a move staff said would allow an Ace Hardware store to occupy the site.

Planning staff member Anna described the site as roughly 0.61 acres with a vacant building that until recently housed motorcycle and ATV sales. “It was motorcycle and ATV sales until fairly recently,” Anna said, and added that the parcel sits on the boundary between the more restrictive automotive CA district and the broader CRG district. Anna said parking and water capacity appeared adequate for the proposed use and concluded, “So, staff's recommendation is that the commission approve the proposed resolution.”

An applicant representative was not present; staff told the commission the applicant had been notified earlier that a quorum might be lacking. With no public commenters, a commissioner identified as Dylan made the motion to recommend approval, which was seconded (the record does not show who seconded). The chair called for the vote and commissioners answered “aye,” with the chair announcing unanimous approval. The commission’s action is advisory; the City Council will make the final determination.

The commission’s recommendation would change the parcel’s allowable uses by aligning it with surrounding regional commercial activity the staff illustrated during the presentation, including nearby motels, restaurants and automotive services. Staff noted the parcel’s current general plan designation supports regional-commercial-scale uses and that an Ace Hardware tenant would be a permitted use in the CRG district.

Next steps: the recommended zoning change will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. The commission record does not specify a council hearing date or the identity of the second who supported the motion.