Planning commission approves conditional use permit for used-auto sales at Ramon Road site

The Cathedral City Planning Commission voted 5-0 Feb. 5 to approve Conditional Use Permit 240002, allowing a used-auto sales operation within an existing auto-repair building at 68750 Ramon Road, Building 2.

The permit authorizes a small used-car sales office of 808 square feet within a 5,300-square-foot repair building and allows the business to reserve three exterior spaces for vehicle display and an additional customer parking space. Manuel Rocha, assistant planner, presented the staff report and recommended approval with conditions requiring the applicant to provide a revised site plan showing a minimum of 34 total parking spaces for the commercial center (including eight spaces proposed within the converted vehicle display area) and two accessible spaces along the east boundary, and to stripe the eight converted display/customer spaces prior to final occupancy inspection. Rocha said each parking space must measure a minimum of 9 feet by 19 feet.

The commission’s action also removed an earlier condition that would have required merging six originally separate parcels into one. Commissioners and staff explained the merger process had been started in the 1990s but never recorded at the county; staff said CC&Rs on the property already grant reciprocal access and parking and that planning staff and the chief building official will enforce path-of-travel and safety requirements during plan check and final inspection. The motion, made by Member Lee and seconded by Member McPhail, found the project exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §15301 (Class 1, existing facilities) and approved CUP 240002 subject to the attached conditions as revised; the motion passed 5-0.

Commissioners asked about safe pedestrian access from the repair bay to the rear office that will be used for sales; staff and the chief building official said building code and plan check will govern required path-of-travel and any marking or striping needed for safety. Applicant representatives in the meeting said the owner would complete any required work; Eddie Galan and Andrea Colon, representing applicant Noe Galan Garcia, said they had worked with the neighboring owner for many years and would comply with conditions if needed.

Why it matters: the approval allows a small-scale, accessory used-vehicle sales operation within an existing commercial center while requiring clarified parking and safety measures meant to limit impacts on adjoining tenants and the public.

Votes at a glance: CUP 240002 — motion to find the project exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15301 and approve CUP 240002 with revised conditions (remove prior lot‑merger requirement; require revised site plan showing minimum 34 spaces including eight display/customer spaces and two accessible stalls; require striping of eight converted display spaces prior to final inspection). Mover: Member Lee. Second: Member McPhail. Tally: 5 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

Staff and next steps: Planning staff will require the applicant to submit the revised site plan and show striping and marked accessible spaces before final occupancy. Building and safety staff will verify pedestrian path-of-travel and accessibility during plan check and before final inspection.