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Planning commission approves large accessory building at 375 W Ruby Lane with owner-only conditions
Summary
The Oakley Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit for a large accessory building at 375 W Ruby Lane — roughly 1,000 sq ft of living space and about 3,900 sq ft of garage — imposing conditions that limit use to owner/family residential or agricultural purposes and require HOA approval before building permits are issued.
The Oakley Planning Commission on April 9 approved a conditional-use permit for an accessory building at 375 W Ruby Lane that includes about 1,000 square feet of living area and roughly 3,900 square feet of garage space. The commission attached conditions limiting the structure to owner and family residential or agricultural use and requiring written homeowners association approval before a building permit is issued.
Planner Stephanie Woolstenhulme presented the staff report describing the proposed structure as a 60-by-85-foot footprint, approximately 4,900 square feet total with a maximum height of 28 feet, 7 inches, to be sited on the northwestern portion of the property. Chairman Richard Bliss opened the public hearing to hear neighbors and the applicant.
Casey Jones, owner of 375 W Ruby Lane, described the project as a family home meant to allow space for children and small-scale farming. "This is our dream home to build," Jones said, adding they plan to live on the property and invited questions about the proposal.
Neighbor David Tait asked whether the application required a variance and whether the building would be used for business purposes. Woolstenhulme replied that the proposal did not require a variance because the use is conditionally allowed under the code; she said the applicant indicated the building would not host business operations and would be for personal use only. Neighbor Ed Clissold spoke in support and asked that CC&Rs and existing conditions be followed as the project progresses.
Commissioner Kevin Barker, sitting for the first time as a commissioner, said the requested use is allowable but recommended additional permit language to prevent commercial activity and to ensure long-term compliance. Barker moved that the conditional-use permit include conditions limiting use to owner, family, residential and agricultural purposes; prohibit commercial or business activity, client visits, and fleet vehicles or excessive traffic; forbid visible outdoor storage; and require written HOA approval before any building permit is issued. Commissioner Cliff Goldthorpe seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously to approve the permit with those conditions.
Commissioners discussed related site considerations — including driveway location, perc testing and a suggestion that an engineered stormwater plan may be advisable given the lot grade — but those items were discussed as considerations rather than mandated conditions in the final motion. The commission also noted that CC&Rs remain a private covenant and encouraged adherence but used the conditional-use permit to create enforceable, public permit conditions addressing commercial use and visible storage.
The commission’s action was limited to land-use authority under Oakley code and did not change private HOA covenants. The commission continued a separate agenda item concerning amendments to the land-use matrix without action. The decision on the conditional-use permit was recorded as approved during the meeting; commissioners present voted in favor and no dissent was recorded.
