Placer County zoning administrator approves several variances, continues contested Auburn garage case

Placer County Zoning Administrator Crystal Jacobson on Feb. 19, 2026 approved a string of property variances and a minor‑use permit modification, and continued a contested as‑built garage variance for further review. The hearing covered routine legal notices, five approval actions and one continuance after late‑filed materials.

Jacobson approved a front‑setback variance for a two‑story addition in the Homewood area (Arnette, Quail Lane), finding the 0.2‑acre triangular lot highly constrained and citing staff analysis that recognized an existing encroachment dating to 1963. "Staff does recommend approval of the variance," county staff said during the presentation. Jacobson found the project categorically exempt from CEQA and waived the appeal period because no opposing public comment was received.

At 8232 Cieno Avenue in Granite Bay, staff recommended and Jacobson approved a variance to legalize an unpermitted 174‑square‑foot patio cover that stands five inches from the east property line, where five feet is normally required. Planning staff noted historic aerial photos showing a trellis or similar structure on the site since at least 2009. The applicant was advised to apply for a building permit and was given an initial 36‑month period to pursue the permit, with the option to apply for extensions.

The administrator also adopted a mitigated negative declaration and approved a minor‑use permit and design review modification allowing Vulcan’s Roseville‑area hot‑mix asphalt plant to add three 76‑foot storage silos. County staff said visual simulations and an air‑quality review supported the 76‑foot option and concluded impacts could be mitigated. The zoning administrator authorized the MUP/DSA modification and, because no public comment opposed the project, waived the appeal period.

A modification to the Chabad of Roseville minor use permit was approved to remove the previously permitted "educational" land use; classrooms will instead be used for internal conference and religious study spaces. Staff told the zoning administrator the change would reduce intensity on the site and remain consistent with prior environmental review.

Other residential variances approved included a roughly 3,047‑square‑foot addition allowance in Forest Hill that reduces the required easement setback and a two‑year extension plus modification to an existing Reynolds variance in Newcastle (allowing an increase from 1,190 to 1,540 square feet while eliminating a detached garage). For those items Jacobson said she agreed with staff findings and noted public comments in support in one case required an appeal period; where no public comment opposed, the appeal period was often waived.

The most contested item involved an as‑built, attached garage at 5640 Bell Road in Auburn. County staff recommended denial on the grounds the application failed to meet three of six variance criteria (the parcel exceeds minimum size, available alternative building areas exist elsewhere on the lot, and the encroachment was not a minimal departure from standards). The property owner, identified in the record as Mitchell, submitted a substantial packet at the hearing and argued the front carport/garage footprint has existed for decades and that neighboring properties include attached garages. "I regret not being more thorough in my arguments," Mitchell said and asked the administrator to consider several historic aerial images and code interpretations. Because of the volume of new material provided the morning of the hearing, Jacobson continued the item to the March 12 zoning administrator hearing to allow staff and the administrator time to review the supplemental documents.

What happens next: for the approved variances, applicants were instructed on next steps (building‑permit submittal and, where applicable, appeal periods). The Auburn garage case will return March 12 for further consideration, at which point the administrator may decide to approve, deny, or set conditions based on the record.

Actions recorded at the hearing included formal approvals and continuances; specific conditions of approval and findings are contained in the county staff reports and the official decisions. Direct quotes and attributions above come from the hearing record.