San Rafael zoning administrator conditionally approves food‑processing permit for 145 Jordan Street

The City of San Rafael acting zoning administrator, Renee Nick, conditionally approved a conditional use permit on Aug. 20, 2025, allowing food‑processing operations at 145 Jordan Street.

Project planner Michael O'Brien told the administrator the application requests a conditional use permit “to allow for food processing at 145 Jordan Street,” describing storage, milling and fulfillment activities including flour, bread and sourdough starter production. O'Brien said the operation would employ one full‑time and four contract part‑time workers and carry out milling and fulfillment between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., up to seven days a week.

An applicant representative clarified that the operator is organized as a nonprofit. “We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization,” the representative said; the administrator asked staff to note that status in the meeting minutes and staff report.

Nick said the planning manager classified the use as food‑processing services and that a zoning administrator hearing was required because the site is proximate to a residential zoning district, which she attributed to a school across the street. She emphasized that the permit is conditioned to ensure the operation does not exceed the city’s noise limits and must comply with city ordinances and dust‑control requirements shared with the applicant.

On the matter of parking and access, staff noted the site is within a half‑mile walking distance of major public transit, and that proximity meant no additional off‑street parking requirement was triggered in the land‑use determination.

“I will conditionally approve this project subject to a 5 day working appeal period,” Nick said during the hearing. She said the appeal period runs through 5 p.m. next Wednesday and that the permit will become effective after that period ends if no successful appeal is filed. The administrator read appeal fees and submission instructions from the record: $358 for a San Rafael resident and $5,119 for an applicant or nonresident; appellants must deliver the fee and a letter to City Hall by the deadline.

Once the appeal window closes and the permit becomes effective, Nick said the applicant may apply for a city business license (required even for 501(c)(3) organizations) and may initiate the building‑permit process; planning staff will review any building permit applications.

An applicant asked about the timeline for receiving a business license; the administrator paused the meeting rather than continuing non‑record conversation about licensing timing and then closed the hearing.