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Planning commission recommends rezoning of Hagfers parcel in San Ynez to general commercial
Summary
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a zoning change for a 1.4-acre vacant parcel in San Ynez from retail commercial (C-2) to general commercial (C-3), finding the request consistent with the community plan and CEQA Guidelines section 15183. The motion passed 4-0.
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission on March 4 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a rezoning application for a 1.4-acre vacant parcel at the southeast end of San Ynez (case 25RZNDash00003) from retail commercial (C-2) to general commercial (C-3).
Planning staff presented the request and told commissioners the parcel's community-plan designation already contemplates general commercial uses and that the proposed rezone would not authorize any immediate development. "No development is proposed as part of the project," planner Soren Kringle said, adding that any future project would require additional entitlements and could trigger ministerial permitting or discretionary review depending on use.
Kringle said the rezone would allow roughly 15 uses not now permitted in the C-2 district, including personal storage facilities and distribution operations, and that development standards such as setbacks and height limits remain effectively the same between C-2 and C-3. Kringle also told commissioners that the project was reviewed under CEQA Guidelines section 15183 and staff concluded no further environmental review was required because the request is consistent with the San Ynez Valley Community Plan and its certified EIR.
The applicant's agent, Mr. Jones, said he had no additions to staff's presentation and was available to answer questions.
Commissioners focused questions on access, noticing and traffic. Commissioner Park said he had made a site visit and asked how access would be provided; the agent replied that access would be from Highway 246 via a Caltrans encroachment permit, with a conceptual entrance at the western end of the parcel. Staff confirmed surrounding properties received mailed notice of the hearing.
Chair Reid, Commissioner Cooney, Commissioner Ford and Commissioner Park all voiced support for staff's findings. Commissioner Park moved to adopt staff recommendations to recommend approval of the rezone to the Board of Supervisors; Commissioner Ford seconded. A roll-call vote recorded aye from Cooney, Ford, Park and Chair Reid and the motion passed 4-0.
The commission's recommendation does not approve construction; Kringle and staff reiterated that any future development on the parcel would require separate land-use entitlements and applicable site-review processes. The Board of Supervisors will consider the commission's recommendation as the next step.
Authorities referenced at the hearing included CEQA Guidelines section 15183 and the San Ynez Valley Community Plan. Staff indicated the rezone request is to be considered by the Board of Supervisors, which has final approval authority.
