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Santa Rosa council denies variance appeal for 15‑bed Benjamins Road care home, upholding frontage-improvement requirements
Summary
The City Council voted to deny an appeal from developers of a proposed 15‑bed assisted living home at 635 Benjamins Road, upholding the city engineer's partial denial that requires curb, gutter, sidewalk and roadway improvements while allowing existing overhead lines to remain. Supporters said the requirements burden a small family project; staff cited safety and long-term connectivity.
The Santa Rosa City Council on Nov. 18 denied an appeal by applicants seeking relief from frontage improvement requirements for a proposed 15‑bed assisted‑living facility at 635 Benjamins Road, upholding the city engineer's determination that pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway apron are required.
City staff argued the improvements are required by city code and are necessary to avoid future connectivity gaps along a nearly 2,000‑foot corridor. "These improvements can be constructed," said Cleve Gurney, deputy director of the engineering division, noting the city's code (Ch. 13 and Ch. 18) ties frontage requirements to project valuation and long‑term public‑safety and drainage needs. Transportation and Public Works Director Dan Hennessy agreed, saying the code applies unless a clear hardship is shown.
The applicants and their supporters said the cost and practical effects of imposing a full frontage buildout on a 120‑foot segment would make the small, family‑funded project infeasible and create an isolated sidewalk that "comes from nowhere and goes to nowhere." Kim Pham, co‑owner of the property, said the project is a local, owner‑built effort to provide senior housing and that the full frontage requirements "place a very significant burden on a small family funded project like ours." The appellant team noted staff had already recommended relief from undergrounding distribution lines.
Councilmembers debated precedent, safety and fairness. Councilmember Diana McDonald, appearing remotely, said the project aligns with council housing goals and advocated case‑by‑case flexibility. Councilmember Rogers, who moved to deny the appeal, warned against selective exceptions to code.
The roll call was: Rogers Aye; O'Krepkie Aye; McDonald No; Fleming Yes; Banuelos No; Vice Mayor Alvarez Aye; Mayor Stapp Yes. The motion to deny the appeal carried with five affirmative votes, thereby upholding the city engineer's partial denial and leaving the required pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk conditions in place. The record shows the city previously granted relief from undergrounding the distribution lines.
Next steps: the applicant may pursue design adjustments, seek financial strategies to meet frontage requirements, or pursue further legal remedies available under city processes.
