Planning commission tables rezoning request for Terry Griffiths, asks for narrower proposal

The Oroville Planning and Zoning Commission on March 25 opened a public hearing on a zone-change application submitted by Terry Griffiths to rezone parcels 0-6-13, 0-6-14 and 0-6-15 from Single-Family Residential (R-1A) to Commercial District C-1 and then voted to table the request so the applicant can revise the proposal.

The commission’s discussion centered on whether all three lots must be rezoned to give Griffiths a clean driveway and parking access for his store, or whether variances or a narrower rezoning would better protect residential supply. "I think that whole driveway should be commercial for your store," one commissioner said, arguing the driveway functionally serves the business; other members said rezoning all three lots would remove scarce housing stock.

Commission members examined parcel sizes and zoning thresholds, noting one parcel measured about 8,500 square feet — below the R-1 minimum the chair cited as 9,000 square feet — and another near 9,500 square feet. That size discussion drove debate over whether a variance or a reclassification to R-1 for parcel 0-6-15 would be appropriate rather than converting all parcels to commercial.

The applicant, identified in the application packet as Terry Griffiths, recounted the property history and prior action in 2012, saying a 30-foot commercial strip had previously been applied to the back of the parcels to allow parking. Griffiths told the commission he sought to adjust lot lines so the existing driveway would be part of the store property and to make ownership and access clear for future inheritance and easements.

Commissioners raised a procedural question about amending the publicly noticed application at the meeting. The chair said some council amendments had appeared after public notice in the past and that it was likely improper to change a noticed application at this stage. Members therefore recommended the applicant be asked to resubmit corrected wording rather than altering the posted application on the spot.

By consensus the commission recommended that the applicant: have parcel 0-6-14 rezoned to commercial (because the driveway crosses that lot), reclassify parcel 0-6-15 from R-1A to R-1 to preserve residential zoning where possible, and drop parcel 0-6-13 from the rezoning request. The chair then called for a motion to table the matter so the applicant and staff could prepare the revised application; the motion carried with the commission recording 'Aye' and the chair stating "Motion carries."

The commission’s recommendation to table is advisory to the town council; the council can accept, modify or overturn the planning commission’s recommendation when it later considers the application. The item will return to the commission agenda next month after the applicant submits revised language and any required notices or paperwork.

The transcript records no public comments during the hearing.