Zoning administrator conditionally approves general office at 88 Belvedere Street in San Rafael

Acting zoning administrator Renee approved a conditional use permit Feb. 4 allowing a general office at 88 Belvedere Street, Suite 208, in San Rafael.

Michaela Bryant, an assistant planner, told the hearing the applicant seeks permission to operate a general office offering tax preparation, fingerprinting, insurance and notary public services at the address and that the proposal "is exempt from CEQA" because it involves existing facilities and no construction is proposed. Bryant also said the project meets the findings required under the San Rafael Municipal Code and that conditions of approval are standard.

Renee, who identified herself as an associate planner and the acting zoning administrator for the hearing, said she had read the staff report and found the required findings were met. She noted the Civic Center Industrial Office District requires a conditional use permit for general office uses because much of the district is committed to industrial uses. On operating hours, Renee said the approved schedule allows for Monday–Friday operation from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., slightly longer than the applicant initially proposed to align with other offices in the district.

"So with that, we'll conditionally approve this use permit for a ... use permit to allow a general office for tax preparation, fingerprint, and insurance, and notary public services which is at 88 Belvedere Street," Renee said on the record. Staff confirmed the suite as Suite 208.

Renee told attendees the decision is appealable within five days; she stated the appeal period would end Wednesday, Feb. 11, with appeals due by 4:00 p.m. at the city offices. On the record she referenced an appeal fee of $358 "for a neighbor or a resident of San Rafael" and also stated a second fee amount of $5,118; the transcript phrasing around the second fee was unclear. The hearing record indicates appeals must be filed with the city and include the applicable fee.

The planner and zoning administrator said the city may handle requests to extend hours or days administratively depending on the scope of the change; larger changes could require further review. No members of the public joined the hearing and the hearing was closed the same day.

The conditional use permit was approved with standard conditions; any future changes to hours or scope should be coordinated with the planning division, which will determine whether additional review is needed.