Planning commission approves 68-unit self-storage at 215 San Mateo Road with landscaping, design review conditions

The city’s planning commission voted 5-0 on March 24 to approve a coastal development permit for a 68-unit self-storage facility behind Curly and Red’s auto body shop at 215 San Mateo Road, imposing conditions that require the project’s landscaping and exterior design be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC).

Director and planner Leslie Leko presented the proposal, which she said calls for 68 prefabricated storage units (roughly 8 by 20 feet and 8 feet tall), 20 parking spaces (15 exterior, 5 interior), new asphalt, fencing and retaining walls, and a bio-retention pond sized to handle the additional impervious surface. Leko said the lot area is about 41,000 square feet, existing impervious surface is about 21,000 square feet and proposed impervious about 39,000 square feet. She recommended adoption of a resolution approving the coastal development permit (CDP PDP24039) and asserted the project qualifies for a CEQA categorical exemption for infill development (California Code of Regulations §15332).

Commissioners and staff spent most of the discussion on visual impacts,…